Steelers' Sylvester out with torn knee ligament

Steelers' Sylvester out with torn knee ligament
August 19, 2012 5:43 pm

By Gerry Dulac / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Steelers' injury situation at linebacker went from bad to worse when it was learned backup inside linebacker Stevenson Sylvester will be out three to four weeks after tearing the medial collateral ligament in his knee.

Sylvester is the top backup to inside linebacker Larry Foote. His injury means rookie Sean Spence, the team's third-round pick, will get more playing time and veteran outside linebacker Brandon Johnson will move inside for tonight's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Steelers are already without Pro Bowl outside linebacker James Harrison and his backup, Jason Worilds, and it might be a while before either returns.

Harrison has a knee injury that caused him to miss minicamp and all of training camp to this point. He had minor surgery last week to help expedite his recovery, but he might not be ready to play until the second or third week of the regular season.

Worilds has missed all of training camp after having wrist surgery, and it is still not known when he will be back. Worilds can't hinge his wrist to take on blockers and will probably have to wear some type of brace when he does return.

Chris Carter, last year's fifth-round draft choice, has been the starter at right outside linebacker and will play there again tonight against the Indianapolis Colts.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/spo ... z2420onYRx

 

Bummer preseason so far. Has Worilds ever been healthy?

 

I think he gets cut . Bad timing

 

Its almost looking like this is going to be a lost season already. Im getting a bad feeling.

However, the optimist would believe that they are getting all of these injuries out of the way early.

Im more pessimistic.

 

The front office needs to get back to drafting and/or finding these great LB'ers, because the future doesn't look bright right now. We have no replacement for Harrison, Foote or Woodley. Everyone we've drafted has shown a ton of potential and has been hyped like mad, but they have not produced. We're going to need serious LB help in the next few years.

 

looks like we will be drafting linebackers high in next year draft.

 

Sly has very little to do with the fate of the Steelers season...good or bad.


HACK

 

These guys are acting like Harrison is out for the season. Sylvesters' injury hurts, but I think Spence will contribute. He just can't cover the huge tight ends well.

 

Harrison very well could be injured for the season, just like he was last year. I don't think he was 100% at all last year and it doesn't sound like he's close to 100% right now either. Football players often play injured, but when you start the season at less than 100%, that's not a good sign.

 

We went OL-OL in the last draft. I can see us going LB-LB in the next!

 

Probably not, but I just hate to see how many LB'ers we've missed on lately. It's too early to call them busts of course, but they sure haven't shown anything yet for all the hype they've received at various times.

 

Cut? He is only out three or four weeks. We don't have the depth to cut him.

 

That is why its important for Big Ben and the offense to get their **** together and score some points to take the pressure off the defense for a change.

 

Some of the crap some of you are saying...SMH.

 

Not just Stevenson. Im talking about the whole. It seems everyday Im reading where someone is getting injured. Its one after the other. Nonstop. Im getting the feeling that they're going to be battling the injury bug all year.

 

I know what you mean. I was feeling great about this season, but I'm getting nervous that we're looking at a rebuilding year...

 

Does this mean Adrian Robinson has strong chance to make the team now?

 

I was hoping for a break out season for this young man, I have not seen
anything that gives me confidence in his play up to this point that he has it.
Hopefully he will prove me wrong.

 

carter looks good to me. not so much as a pure rush LB but overall. i can't wait to see him with another year of muscle building and learning. he's got a little ways to go but the future is looking bright for him. good news for us.