Tweet
[url]http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gElAzCQYe1cKDyh3f2bHbmIMGOwA[/url]
Steelers guard Stapleton needs arthroscopic surgery; return date unknown
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 27 minutes ago
LATROBE, Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers right guard Darnell Stapleton will arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and the team has no timetable set for his return.
The six-foot-three, 305-pound Stapleton had been practising at centre in place of Justin Hartwig, who arrived at training camp with a toe injury. But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practised since Sunday.
"We'll see where we're at after (Friday) morning," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're going to clean it up and go from there."
Stapleton, who made the roster in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, started the final 12 regular season games and all three playoff games at right guard for the Steelers after Kendall Simmons went down with a torn Achilles' tendon.
But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practised since Sunday.
Hartwig also has been brought along slowly by the team with a toe injury he suffered in July.
The injuries have left the team thin on the offensive line. Trai Essex, a top backup who had been expected to challenge Stapleton for a starting spot, is playing right guard. Doug Legursky, an undrafted player out of Marshall who spent the part of the 2008 season on the practice squad, has filled in at centre.
"Darnell is a big factor for us because he's able to play guard and centre," said right tackle Willie Colon. "With Justin out, he would have been the backup at that position and with Trai playing guard, it's a blow depth-wise. It's tough."
Notes: Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley missed practice Thursday, the first day he's sat out. Tomlin said Woodley has swelling in his right knee. ... Wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller returned to practice Thursday.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (CP) – 27 minutes ago
LATROBE, Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers right guard Darnell Stapleton will arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and the team has no timetable set for his return.
The six-foot-three, 305-pound Stapleton had been practising at centre in place of Justin Hartwig, who arrived at training camp with a toe injury. But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practised since Sunday.
"We'll see where we're at after (Friday) morning," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. "We're going to clean it up and go from there."
Stapleton, who made the roster in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, started the final 12 regular season games and all three playoff games at right guard for the Steelers after Kendall Simmons went down with a torn Achilles' tendon.
But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practised since Sunday.
Hartwig also has been brought along slowly by the team with a toe injury he suffered in July.
The injuries have left the team thin on the offensive line. Trai Essex, a top backup who had been expected to challenge Stapleton for a starting spot, is playing right guard. Doug Legursky, an undrafted player out of Marshall who spent the part of the 2008 season on the practice squad, has filled in at centre.
"Darnell is a big factor for us because he's able to play guard and centre," said right tackle Willie Colon. "With Justin out, he would have been the backup at that position and with Trai playing guard, it's a blow depth-wise. It's tough."
Notes: Outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley missed practice Thursday, the first day he's sat out. Tomlin said Woodley has swelling in his right knee. ... Wide receiver Hines Ward and tight end Heath Miller returned to practice Thursday.
Copyright © 2009 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Comment