3 Steelers linebackers uncertain

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

James Harrison can see clearly through the protective shield on his facemask.

Whether the Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro linebacker will be able to play on Sunday against rival Baltimore remains blurry.

Harrison practiced on Wednesday for the first time since fracturing the orbital bone over his right eye against Houston a month ago. Though he’s relatively pain free, the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year is not going to put up a fight if doctors feel he’s not healed enough to go full bore.

“I got two eyes, I’m not playing with my vision,” Harrison said. “If they say no, I’m not going. That’s not something I’m willing to lose.”

At least Harrison practiced. Fellow starting linebackers James Farrior (calf) and LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) were “limited” on Wednesday and their status is uncertain.

If all three sit out, the Steelers (6-2) must find a way to go forward against the Ravens (5-2) with youngsters Stevenson Sylvester, Chris Carter and Jason Worilds playing significant roles.

The trio have combined to play all of five seasons during their brief careers and none are older than 23.

By comparison Harrison, Farrior and Woodley have played a combined 28 seasons, been selected to seven Pro Bowls and won five Super Bowls.

While the Steelers live by the mantra “the standard is the standard,” the potential replacements are well aware of whose shoes they’re stepping into.

“You’re talking about Pro Bowlers, potential Hall-of-Fame guys,” Sylvester said. “I try not to look at it as pressure. I try to look at it as me doing my job.”

Sylvester knows he’ll have to do it well if the Steelers are to get a little payback for the 35-7 whipping they received at Baltimore’s hands in the season opener.

Two months later, it still stings.

“You look at that film and how we fit gaps and how we tackled and ... everything was just wrong that game,” Sylvester said.

And that was with their stars on the field.

At least one and possibly all three will be sidelined on Sunday, leaving Lawrence Timmons as the only healthy opening-day starter left and even he won’t be in his normal position at inside linebacker.

The team moved Timmons outside when Harrison went down, where he’s excelled despite limited experience rushing the quarterback.

Then again, maybe it’s no surprise. The Steelers have been churning out Pro Bowlers at linebacker for decades, in part because of a mindset by the organization to draft versatile players.

Every linebacker is required to learn how to play all four spots and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau freely mixes and matches combinations depending on matchups.