The big news coming out of Tuesday's Mike Tomlin press conference was that there's a chance Casey Hampton could play this week at Cincinnati after sitting out the past two games with a groin injury.
Hampton will run on Wednesday and take a shot at practicing on Thursday.
He initially wasn't expected back until after the Cincinnati game - though there's still a chance the Steelers will hold him out this week. They are playing the Bengals, after all.
© Willie Parker, Brett Keisel and Jeff Reed look like they're good to go.
© Marvel Smith is still a question mark with back spasms. Tomlin said Max Starks would start if Smith is unable to play.
This is why the Steelers felt it necessary to keep Starks, even at a $7 million price tag.
Smith has had little nagging injuries like this throughout his career. It's also a reason why there's a good chance Smith won't be back in Pittsburgh after this season when his contract runs out.
with the way hoke is playing, they should let big hamp sit out one more game to ensure he's 100%.
ReplyDeleteThat will likely be what happens.
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteThis is one of those games that actually worries me. Why? Because the Steelers have a tendency to play down to their competition. And its really easy to look past the Bengals after a bye week and before a big game with the Giants.
You seem to be around the guys a lot, do you get any sense that they are taking this lightly? If i were Tomlin I would be yelling at practice and trying to light a fire. Plus, if we can come out and blow them away, we might be able to rest some guys in the second half. (Ben comes to mind and I'm talking up by 24 + in the early 4th).
I know, I know, I'm starting to look past the Bengals myself.
I still remember the Jets game last season far too well and this still is a division opponent.
No letdowns against a division opponent. There's too much pride at stake.
ReplyDeleteDale,
ReplyDeleteWho do you think will play left tackle next year?
I don't think that player is on the roster - though I think Essex will be re-signed to compete for the job.
ReplyDeleteMarvel scares me - and some people in the organization - with the injuries. He's a warrior and he'll play if at all possible. But back problems are tough.
Are the spasms the same type of issues Smith had last season? Did the surgery not really help after all?
ReplyDeleteI'm hearing FWP (Parker) reinjured his knee in practice today.... should be start becoming concerned with him wearing out? I'm not too worried about being without versus the Bungles, but we *need* him against the Giants and Redskins.
ReplyDeleteParker didn't reinjure it today (Wednesday). He came in Tuesday and it was sore. It looks like they'll hold him out this week.
ReplyDeleteThese back spasms are something new for Smith.