Steelers likely to miss Haggans, Marvel Smith

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Steelers likely to miss Haggans, Marvel Smith
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Tuesday, December 18, 2007


The Steelers probably will be without starting outside linebacker Clark Haggans and starting left tackle Marvel Smith when they play the Rams on Thursday in St. Louis. Haggans sprained his left knee in the Steelers' 29-22 loss to the Jaguars on Sunday. Smith left the game in the fourth quarter and didn't return because his back was giving him as much trouble as Jacksonville's pass rush. LaMarr Woodley will start at left outside linebacker if Haggans doesn't play, and Max Starks will start at left tackle if Smith is unable to go. Travis Kirschke, who is playing defensive end in place of the injured Aaron Smith, could also miss the game with a rib cartilage injury, Tomlin said.
? The knee injury that forced cornerback Ike Taylor to leave Sunday's game in the fourth quarter is believed to be a minor one, Tomlin said.

? Strong safety Troy Polamalu and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger are expected to be fine for the game against the Rams. Polamalu had missed three consecutive games with a knee sprain before making 10 tackles against the Jaguars. Roethlisberger has been nursing a sore (throwing) shoulder, and he got planted on it several times by the Jaguars.

? Inside linebacker and special teams captain Clint Kriewaldt is battling "stinger issues," Tomlin said, and his availability for Thursday is not known.


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Digits

1 - Steelers' NFL rank in points allowed (15.6 per game) and total yards allowed (258 a game).
15.7 - Points the Rams have averaged per game this season.

[br7]

this season is slipping through the cracks!

[fansince'76]

this season is slipping through the cracks!

Thanks - not that it hasn't been pointed out 15,000 times since Sunday or anything already. :coffee:

[br7]

Thanks - not that it hasn't been pointed out 15,000 times since Sunday or anything already. :coffee:

sorry:dang:

[FourThreeMafia]

I dont know how Woodley will be, but Haggans hasnt played well at all in the 2nd half of the season. He was solid but not great in the 1st half of the season, and has been mediocre at best in the 2nd half of the season.

He has 4.5 sacks this year, and aat least 2 of those were coverage sacks.

Woodley is the future. I think he still has alot to learn, but losing Haggans isnt a huge blow.

I dont trust Smith blocking Ben's blind side. Even when healhy he hasnt been good in pass protection. He was meant to be a LT in the run heavy offense. Our OLine isnt suited to handle a balance offense. Our lineman are road grating, run blocking specialists.

[jjpro11]

not so favorable news for ike either. :dang:

4 starters still ailing

Ike Taylor did not practice yesterday and had a noticeable limp two days after leaving the game against Jacksonville with a left knee injury.

Coach Mike Tomlin thought Monday that Taylor would be OK, but said the medical staff was not done examining him. If Taylor cannot play, Bryant McFadden would start.

Left tackle Marvel Smith also did not practice and likely will be replaced by Max Starks. Smith allowed several sacks against Jacksonville, but it turns out he was playing with a painful disk in his back -- a problem that has plagued him much of the season.

"Marvel is such a warrior, it was our fault for probably keeping him in there," offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said. "He wouldn't come out until he couldn't go any longer. That was probably a situation where we went with the warrior too long."

Linebacker Clark Haggans (knee) went through some drills, as did defensive end Travis Kirschke (knee). Those two starters' availability for tomorrow's game also is unclear.

[Preacher]

OK...

So who plays DE for us? We have Aaron smith AND Kirske out?

Timmons anyone?

I am actually not too excited about having Nick Eason as our starter on Thursday if Kirske can't go.

[Marvelisgarbage]

Max Starks does a better job at left tackle anyway, so maybe this weak we won't watch Marvel Smith riding a DB or DL up over Ben.:banging: