Steelers want to stay healthy tonight
Associated Press
PITTSBURGH
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger understands the third exhibition game is the closest thing to the real thing as the NFL preseason gets.
Still, when asked what he’s looking for tonight when the Steelers host the Atlanta Falcons, Roethlisberger didn’t hesitate.
“Health,” he said.
Keeping stars off the trainer’s table hasn’t been much of an issue for the defending AFC champions. The same can’t be said for the largely anonymous offensive line, which has been so unstable during camp the Steelers re-signed veteran Trai Essex on Monday just a few weeks after Essex appeared to have eaten himself out of a job.
Tackles Jonathan Scott and Marcus Gilbert and guard Chris Kemoeatu have all missed practice time with injuries, though Gilbert will be healthy enough to start at left tackle if Scott is unable to go after hyperextending his knee in the first quarter of a 24-14 victory over Philadelphia last week.
On a team with few question marks, who will protect Roethlisberger and open up holes for running back Rashard Mendenhall when the regular season begins in Baltimore on Sept. 11 remains a bit of a mystery.
Browns linebacker Brown out
BEREA
With one exhibition game to go, the Cleveland Browns’ depth chart is taking a beating.
Linebacker Titus Brown joined the list of Browns unable to work out Friday because of a high ankle sprain. Brown, tackle Eric Steinbach and running back Brandon Jackson did not suit up for a light walk-through following Cleveland’s 24-14 loss to the Eagles in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
First-year coach Pat Shurmur said that despite losing punter Reggie Hodges for the season and having several others recouping from various bumps and bruises, the Browns’ injury issues are not that alarming.
“Coaches [throughout the NFL] are dealing with the same type of issues,” Shurmur said.
Shurmur is willing to be patient, as he was with Montario Hardesty. The running back carried five times against the Eagles in his first action since tearing a ligament in last year’s final exhibition game and having surgery.
Hardesty’s health is a good sign since Brandon Jackson, signed as a free agent from Green Bay, remains out with a turf toe injury.
“He’s in a cast and he’ll be out for an extended period,” Shurmur said of Jackson. “It’s not broken, but it is going to take some time.”
Shurmur said Brown and Steinbach, who hasn’t practiced since Aug. 17, won’t be back immediately, either.