The team announced that TE David Johnson has been taken off the PUP list this morning. Johnson will return to practice starting today. With the depth at Tight End being an area of concern after Matt Spaeth’s injury, this is welcome news.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/370204288988889090
The Steelers released a statement regarding Le’Veon Bell’s injury this morning. Coach Tomlin said in the statement that Bell did in fact have a MRI yesterday, but the team is still awaiting the diagnosis. Furthermore, the team is also waiting for the results of a second opinion. Bell is already ruled out of Saturday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Tomlin added in the statement that he will provide updates when they become available in the next couple days. You can draw your own conclusions, but generally minor sprains do not require second opinions.
During the course of the Redskins game, the Steelers suffered a few injuries. Some very minor, others TBD.
Le’Veon Bell left the game early after a tackle by Barry Cofield, with what’s being called a mid foot sprain. Coach Tomlin said he will get a MRI tomorrow to determine the severity. Not to be an alarmist, but early rumors are that this may sideline him for weeks. Hopefully the rumors don’t prove true.
Terry Hawthorne left the game with leg cramps.
Baron Batch left with a stinger and did not return.
Will Johnson left the game due to a hit to the helmet by S DeJon Gomes. He was said to have suffered a rib injury from the hit and did not return.
I’ll update as soon as I hear an update on Bell and Johnson’s injury.
Mike Prisuta is reporting that Le’Veon Bell will be starting against the Redskins tonight. After bruising his knee on Thursday, it didn’t seem likely that he would see playing time tonight.
https://twitter.com/DVEMike/status/369479132909809664
Bell, who said last spring that he’s never missed a practice due to an injury -all the way back to Pop Warner – clearly has a history of durability. He practiced Friday and Saturday, and is said to have a clean bill of health, so the coaching staff seems to see no need to sit him tonight. This is great news, and certainly all of Steeler Nation is excited to see him in action tonight.
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Le’veon Bell spoke with media at Latrobe today and alleviated some fears about the severity of his knee injury. Bell says that he aggravated his previously injured knee and that it’s nothing serious. Although he still wants to play Monday night, it doesn’t seem likely that the team will take the chance by putting him in.
One important note- Bell was not tackled. He was hurt when he landed wrong after being contacted by Steve McLendon. The protocols of the drill were followed, and Bell doesn’t blame the defense. He said he let up and slowed down a little too much on the play, and fell on the knee wrong.
I’ll refrain from making a Chuck Norris type Steve McLendon joke here. You’re welcome.
Both Le’veon Bell and Isaac Redman were hurt during practice today. Redman took a big hit by Larry Foote, Lawrence Timmons, or the back of a linemen (depending who you ask), during the first play of 11 on 11 drills. Tomlin said it was a stinger. Redman said the same and that he’d be fine.
Bell was finishing a 15 yard run to the outside during a non-contact drill when he was brought down by various members of the defense. Coach Tomlin said he was being evaluated and that he aggravated his left knee that caused him to miss the first preseason game last week. Bell said that he ‘just fell wrong’ and that he would ‘try his best to play’ on Monday. Though his injury was related to contact, the drill was not supposed to be a live one.
Jarvis Jones was also said to have ‘tweaked his groin’ today, but it didn’t appear to be serious. He wasn’t mentioned by Coach Tomlin when he addressed the media.
CB Curtis Brown, who hurt his ankle last Monday, returned to practice today for the first time since the injury. This is welcome news considering the amount of injuries at the Cornerback position. Hopefully for Brown, he will be able to participate in Monday’s game versus the Redskins. He missed the first preseason game due to the ankle injury.
The Steelers have officially placed Plaxico Burress on Injured Reserve today. Burress, who turned 36 yesterday, underwent surgery on his right shoulder to repair a torn rotator cuff.
The team has signed WR Tyler Shaw to add depth and fill the opening on the roster. Shaw went undrafted out of Northwest Missouri State this spring. He’s 6’0, 182 lbs and clocked a 40 low time of 4.37. He spent this summer with the Cardinals before being cut last week. Aside from impressing with his speed on the football field in college, he was also an accomplished hurdler on the track team.
Today’s injury report is a mixed bag. Starting with the good news, Terry Hawthorne dressed and participated in practice today. Hawthorne, the team’s 5th round pick, missed OTA’s and all of camp so far due to knee surgery. Nick Williams returned to practice, and Le’Veon Bell was also back today as expected.
Justin Cheadle (OL) was injured during practice. He was said to have suffered what looked like a right knee injury, and reportedly appeared to be in a lot of pain. He was carted away after trainers attended to him on the field.
Steve McLendon was given the day off for personal reasons according to Coach Tomlin. It was rumored to have been to be with his wife who was in labor.
Plaxico Burress had surgery today. It is his 36 birthday. Tomlin did not have a timetable for Burress’s or Spaeth’s recovery.
In the post-game press conference, Coach Tomlin was asked about Matt Spaeth’s status. In reply, Mike Tomlin said he had surgery preformed, but did not have an update at this time. This confirms the early reports that Spaeth would need surgery when he injured his foot in practice last week. This contradicts Gerry Dulac’s report that Spaeth simply had a linsfranc sprain.
#Steelers need a No 2 TE: Matt Spaeth has Lis Franc sprain, out 8-10 weeks.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 9, 2013
Coach Tomlin said he would have an update on Spaeth tomorrow.