The team has announced that Le’Veon Bell will not play tonight against the Giants in the preseason opener. Coach Tomlin said he didn’t get to see enough of Bell after he hurt his knee a few days ago to allow him to play tonight.
Though no official announcement has been made by the team, Adam Schefter reports that Plaxico Burress has a torn rotator cuff.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/365677841507041281
Mike Garafalo also reported that a torn rotator cuff was what Plaxico suffered yesterday. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Plaxico-Burress-season-career-in-jeopardy-after-injury-080813
Garafalo says that sources told him surgery was likely in the Wide Receiver’s future. If these reports are true, this is not only the end of his chances of playing this season, but most likely the end of his career.
The injury happened yesterday while Burress was attempting to catch a pass that was being defended by Steed and Cromartie-Smith. He was said to have fallen on his right arm and needed to be carted from the practice field. Plaxico was no lock to make the roster, but he was showing signs of being the red zone threat many hoped he would be. This injury puts receivers like Justin Brown, David Gilreath, Kashif Moore, Derek Moye, and Reggie Dunn in greater contention for the last available Receiver spot.
The team announced that they have claimed TE Michael Palmer off waivers, and released TE John Rabe to make room for the signing. Palmer was released by the Seattle Seahawks Tuesday. He was briefly with the Giants this spring before being signed by the Seahawks. Palmer was undrafted out of Clemson in 2010, but was signed by the Falcons and spent 3 seasons with the team, though saw limited playing time. Palmer is 25 years old, 6’5″, 260lbs.
The Coloradoan is reporting that Joey Porter has turned himself in for an open arrest warrant dating back to 1999. The warrant stemmed from tickets dating back to May of 1999, for speeding and driving while his license was under restraint. He had 3 arraingments that summer, but failed to appear for his final court date in October of ’99- the beginning of his rookie season. Porter returned to Colorado State last week to finish his degree, and join the football staff as an assistant coach. CSU football coach Jim McElwain said he’ll use Porter’s experience as a tool for teaching current players to help them learn to deal with problems immediately. Porter was released on $1,100 cash bond.
The Steelers announced today that they have signed Running Back Alvester Alexander and Cornerback Devin Smith. RB Curtis McNeal and DE Cordian Hagans were released to make room on the roster for them.
Devin Smith (5’10” 182) was released last week by the Cowboys, who signed him as an UDFA in April. Smith, who was not invited to the Combine, ran a 4.49 40 at his pro day at Wisconsin. Smith was viewed as a Nickel Corner by scouts, and was said to be a strong Special Teams player who could fill in at Safety.
Alvester Alexander was originally signed by the Bears last year as an UDFA out of the University of Wyoming, and spent time on the Colts practice squad last season. He was released by the Titans in July. He declared for the draft a year early. His best season at Wyoming was his sophomore year, where he rushed for 792 yards, and 14 TD’s. Alexander by the numbers: 5’10”, 206, 4.39 40.
The Steelers have released an updated depth chart today. This depth chart isn’t very different from the first depth chart released ten days ago, though, one major difference is that Mike Adams is listed at Left Tackle.
Offense
[table id=7 /]
Defense
[table id=9/]
Special Teams
[table id=8 /]
You can share your thoughts in the discussion thread here: http://thesteelersfans.com/forums/showthread.php?6704-Steelers-roster-Depth-Chart
The Steelers have signed veteran Tackle D’Anthony Batiste today and placed Offensive Lineman Nik Embernate on the Waived/Injured list. Embernate tore his ACL and MCL in practice on Thursday, so this move comes as no surprise. Embernate will go on the waiver wire, and if no team claims him (the odds of being claimed are little to none), then the Steelers will then be able to place him on IR, or work out an injury settlement. While on IR, he will not count towards the 90 man roster.
Batiste, who was scheduled for a workout, started 10 games for the Cardinals last season. He was rated last out of the available free agent Tackles by ProFootballFocus earlier this year.
The team has announced that the “Bumble Bee” throwbacks will be worn during the Lions game this year. It is the only game that the Steelers will wear the throwbacks this season.
Photo H/T- mbell1975
The Steelers host the Lions on November 17th at 1:00 pm, and the game will be televised by Fox.