Legursky provides Steelers flexibility

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

To hear offensive coordinator Bruce Arians tell it, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to insert Doug Legursky into the starting lineup wasn’t so much about upgrading at left guard.

It was about adding another center.

Legursky will replace four-year incumbent Chris Kemoeatu at left guard Sunday night when Pittsburgh (7-3) visits the Kansas City Chiefs (4-6).

“Chris did not play poorly; we just have some good depth along the line for the first time in a long time,” Arians said after a Thanksgiving Day practice. “It’s not a benching as much as it is putting Doug back in.”

Legursky has started at three different positions over the past 10 months. A natural center, he subbed there for an injured Maurkice Pouncey at the Super Bowl in February. Legursky began this season as the starting right guard then filled in for two games at left guard when Kemoeatu’s knee prevented him from playing. Then, Legursky sustained a toe injury himself that kept him out for three weeks.

This time, despite Arians’ polite words for Kemoeatu, Legursky earned his spot in the starting lineup on merit.

“It’s like having two centers out there as far as the calls and everything, especially with the noise [in Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium],” Arians said. “He’s a very athletic guy, and he’s had a heck of a year going as far as giving up pressure.”

An undrafted free agent out of Marshall in 2008, Legursky is undersized in the jumbo world of NFL offensive linemen at 6-feet-1 and 315 pounds. Legursky views himself as a “cerebral-type player,” and he’s made himself invaluable to a Steelers team that seems to have gotten over what was developing into an early-season crisis along the offensive line.

“He might be a little small, man, but he plays big, as big as everyone else,” Pouncey said. “Don’t let the height fool you.

“He communicates well on the football field.”