Tribune-Review reporter Gerry Dulac tweeted Saturday C Maurkice Pouncey isn’t expected to play in Pittsburgh’s Week 15 game at San Francisco. He’s recovering from a high ankle sprain sustained in Week 14.
QB Ben Roethlisberger was limited in practice Friday, and did not practice Thursday. If he cannot practice today, he will not play Monday.
Starting LG Doug Legursky will replace Pouncey at center, and veteran OL Trai Essex will move over to the left guard position.
QB Charlie Batch will start in place of Roethlisberger.
It’s a rough game to be without Pouncey or Roethlisberger. San Francisco is the league’s top scoring defense (14 points a game), and is fourth in yards per game (305.1). With the Steelers trailing only San Francisco in scoring defense (15.2, and having surrendered just 19 points in their last three games (3-0), it looks like the defense will have to step up if Pittsburgh is to pull off a road win.
SS Troy Polamalu has been limited in practice this week, but is still expected to play. Jason Worilds, who will start over the suspended James Harrison, may face a back-up himself, as it appears LT Joe Staley may not be able to play for the 49ers. Staley suffered concussion-like symptoms in San Francisco’s 21-19 loss at Arizona in Week 14. Alex Boone would replace him in that situation.
Source: Behind the Steel Curtain
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