The team issued a statement on Plaxico Burress, calling his shoulder injury ‘significant’. No specific details on the injury were available, but he is scheduled to have surgery on the injured shoulder on Monday.
https://twitter.com/steelers/status/365871142793252864
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 Cardinals announced that they were awarded DE Cordian Hagans off waivers today. Hagans, who was originally signed in April as an UDFA, was waived by the Steelers with Curtis McNeal yesterday to make room for two roster additions.
https://twitter.com/AZCardinals/status/365592314418184192
It’s being reported that Plaxico Burress left practice early with an arm injury. According to Jim Wexell, he fell on his arm after jumping for a ball that was defended by Ryan Steed and Da’Mon Cromartie-Smith. Hopefully it’s not serious…I’ll update when more is know.
OT Guy Whimper was injured during practice today. The specifics and severity are not yet known, but one observer’s account indicated that he was carted off the field. We’ll wait and see if Coach Tomlin has any details when he addresses the press later this afternoon.
The Steelers signed Tight End Nathan Overbay today. Mike Farrell was released to make room on the roster. Overbay was an UDFA out of Eastern Washington in 2010. Originally signed by the Broncos, he’s spent most of his career on and off the Detroit Lions’ practice squad. Overbay is 6’5, and is reportedly 259 lbs. He is the nephew of former Pirates infielder Lyle Overbay.
One would have to assume that this signing, coupled with Coach Tomlin’s lack of an update for Spaeth this morning, indicates that Spaeth’s injury will be sidelining him for a while. That’s just speculation of course. Hopefully, we get more details on Spaeth’s injury later today.
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.
Matt Spaeth was carted off the practice field today, after reportedly getting stepped on or stepping wrong. The details are not yet known. Spaeth, who had his knee drained last Friday, is first on the Steelers depth chart ahead of David Paulson. Paulson is having a good camp and has seen game experience. That cannot be said for any other healthy Tight End on the roster. More details of Spaeth’s injury should be available soon and I will update accordingly.
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.