mesaSteeler
11-04-2009, 05:31 PM
View From The Press Box
http://blog.triblive.com/view-from-the-press-box/2009/11/04/kirschke-not-likely-to-play-in-denver/
Kirschke not likely to play in Denver
November 4th, 2009
Ryan Clark isn’t the only defensive starter that probably won’t play Monday night in Denver.
Defensive end Travis Kirschke said next week “might be too soon” for him to return from a calf injury that knocked him out of the Steelers’ 27-17 win over the Vikings on Sept. 25.
Kirschke, who has been starting at left defensive end, said he has a tear in his calf and that the injury generally requires 3-6 weeks of recovery time.
“Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later,” Kirschke said before practice today. “I’ve got to be patient. It takes some time for it to heal.”
Kirschke did some running in a pool today but he said there is still swelling in the lower leg that he hurt against the Vikings.
If Kirschke doesn’t play against the Broncos, Nick Eason will start at left defensive end with Ziggy Hood backing him up. Sunny Harris would almost certainly dress in his first game for the Steelers if Kirschke is unable to play.
The Steelers are already thin at defensive end with Aaron Smith out for the year because of a shoulder injury.
Denver is one of the last places the Steelers want their depth at defensive end further compromised. The altitude in Denver can cause opposing players to tire faster than in cities where the concentration of oxygen in the air is higher.
Kirschke lives in Colorado during the offseason, and he said he doesn’t expect the altitude in Denver to have a significant impact on the Steelers’ game there.
“You might feel a little (more) winded,” he said, “but I don’t expect it to be a game changer.”
http://blog.triblive.com/view-from-the-press-box/2009/11/04/kirschke-not-likely-to-play-in-denver/
Kirschke not likely to play in Denver
November 4th, 2009
Ryan Clark isn’t the only defensive starter that probably won’t play Monday night in Denver.
Defensive end Travis Kirschke said next week “might be too soon” for him to return from a calf injury that knocked him out of the Steelers’ 27-17 win over the Vikings on Sept. 25.
Kirschke, who has been starting at left defensive end, said he has a tear in his calf and that the injury generally requires 3-6 weeks of recovery time.
“Hopefully, it’s sooner rather than later,” Kirschke said before practice today. “I’ve got to be patient. It takes some time for it to heal.”
Kirschke did some running in a pool today but he said there is still swelling in the lower leg that he hurt against the Vikings.
If Kirschke doesn’t play against the Broncos, Nick Eason will start at left defensive end with Ziggy Hood backing him up. Sunny Harris would almost certainly dress in his first game for the Steelers if Kirschke is unable to play.
The Steelers are already thin at defensive end with Aaron Smith out for the year because of a shoulder injury.
Denver is one of the last places the Steelers want their depth at defensive end further compromised. The altitude in Denver can cause opposing players to tire faster than in cities where the concentration of oxygen in the air is higher.
Kirschke lives in Colorado during the offseason, and he said he doesn’t expect the altitude in Denver to have a significant impact on the Steelers’ game there.
“You might feel a little (more) winded,” he said, “but I don’t expect it to be a game changer.”