Woodley Limited In Practice, Listed As Questionable, Ben Wearing A Brace, Practices

by Neal Coolong on Nov 22, 2011 6:34 AM EST in Steelers Injury News

The Steelers come out of the bye week with two key injuries - OLB LaMarr Woodley is still nursing the hamstring he injured in Week 9, and QB Ben Roethlisberger is working to play with a broken thumb in his passing hand as the Steelers prepare to take on Kansas City in Week 12.

Roethlisberger practiced Monday, and said he would likely hand off with his left hand against the Chiefs. Woodley, though, did not practice, and is listed as questionable for the game.

It would be Woodley's third consecutive missed game if he's unable to play. He and perennial Pro Bowl OLB James Harrison have not played together since the second half of Pittsburgh's Week 4 loss at Houston.

Hamstring injuries are tricky. They're very easy to re-injure, and in cold weather, it's even more difficult to keep them loose enough to be protected. In the previous two games, and the six without Harrison, the Steelers used a combination of Lawrence Timmons and Jason Worlids to replace their marquee pass-rushing linebackers. ILB James Farrior missed time during that stretch as well, forcing the Steelers to dig deep into their depth chart.

While not ideal, the Steelers went 5-1 during that stretch, with the only loss coming at home against Baltimore, a game in which James Harrison had three sacks and a crucial forced fumble.

Playing with injuries is nothing new for Roethlisberger, who perhaps could be the only quarterback in the league who cites a broken thumb on his throwing hand as a "chronic injury." Even considering his renowned toughness, this may be a game for the Steelers to return to the ground. New England shredded the Chiefs for 34 points, and got 4.5 yards a carry out of their ground game.

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Ike

Does anyone know who Ike will be covering, Dwayne Bowe, or Baldwin. Bowe is probably the better reciever but Baldwin is a physical stud.

by Lamarr56 on Nov 22, 2011 7:01 AM EST reply actions

as long as we put a bigger CB (preferably Lewis) on the other with safety help over top Taylor covering either one should be fine. Gay has been playing good but you don’t want to put him in a miss-match

"I believe the game is designed to reward the ones who hit the hardest. If you can't take it, you shouldn't play." ~Jack Lambert.

"Superman ain't got nothing on me, ... Kryptonite? C'mon now. It's just that you're never going to hear me say that somebody is tougher than me, ... Because I don't believe somebody else could be tougher than me." ~James Harrison

by H-burgSTEELfanatic on Nov 22, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions

Wouldnt be too worried about coverage with Palko throwing at them.

"He had no teeth, and he was slobbering all over himself. I'm thinking, 'You can have your money back, just get me out of here. Let me go be an accountant." I can't tell you how badly I wanted out of there."
- Denver rookie QB John Elway, on Jack Lambert, after Lambert and the Steelers knocked Elway out of his first game as a pro (1983).

by Han on Nov 22, 2011 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

THIS

Stay thirsty my friends.

by SteelerMessican on Nov 22, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

I had no idea Alec Baldwin played for the Chiefs.

I just thought he played one in a movie once.

I'll be hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from May, 2011 to Sept., 2011, to raise money for charity. For more info, please visit: http://thf2.wordpress.com

by Fifty-Eight on Nov 23, 2011 1:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Don't want to see Woodley rush himself for this game

I’m okay with him taking it slow as long as he heals fully..
And I agree that we should turn to the running game more.

by stoco40 on Nov 22, 2011 7:37 AM EST reply actions

Huh?

I read on twitter that Woodley was limited in practice.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 8:05 AM EST reply actions

From Steelers.com

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley also got some work on Monday, slowly working his way back from a hamstring injury that has forced him to miss the last two games.

"It’s day to day," said Woodley. "It’s getting better. I was limited. I did a few things out there. I had a good practice when I was out there. It’s getting better every day. Each day it’s taking another step to getting better. That is all I have been doing. Each day has been getting better. It’s better than last week."

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 8:05 AM EST up reply actions

I like

this better than, but I can see him still being questionable

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Nov 22, 2011 8:25 AM EST up reply actions

My bad, headline changed. Questionable means he’s still 50-50 though

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 22, 2011 8:36 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I’m hoping that questionable is really just to keep KC on their toes. I’m really hoping he doesn’t play. I don’t think we need him to win this game. Palko was downright awful last night with and without pressure last night.

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 8:38 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure I’ve seen a QB play as badly as he did. He couldn’t hit an immobile tank more than five yards down the field. We’ve won without Woodley, and rest is key this time of the year. I’d hope he plays, but get him limited snaps and keep his butt on the bike when he’s not in there.

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by Neal Coolong on Nov 22, 2011 8:42 AM EST up reply actions

KC defence punished Brady

until the Pats started holding. The Pats may get away with that with out getting flagged but I suspect the Steelers will not be so “lucky”. The O-line will have to open lanes for the RBs if the play action is going to have any success.

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by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Nov 22, 2011 8:36 AM EST reply actions

True

I saw several holds that the refs seemed to blatantly miss. The hold was so bad that when the defender went to shed his block, he had both hands off of the lineman, but still could not turn away from the defender.

Things can always be worse....

by ncmt40 on Nov 22, 2011 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

Nobody gets away with holding better than the Pats

The Ravens do a good job of stretching rules on the O-line, but no one is better than the PAts. I say again…..That may be a compliment in most cases. They dod it well.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 22, 2011 2:01 PM EST up reply actions

Hali

Thought Tamba Hali played pretty well, until NE realized he was the only one on defense playing well. Overall, the KC defense had no answer for Law Firm (or anyone else) running or for NE tight ends. Glad to see 85 was Ocho No-Show again. Still having issues with the playbook, I guess. I worry about 1) playing against teams in their house after they’ve been thrashed in the previous week, and 2) playing against the teams we really should have no trouble beating.

"The standard is the standard." Mike Tomlin
The standard for Steeler football is #58. Me

by The 58 Standard on Nov 22, 2011 9:11 AM EST reply actions

I would be more worried if we weren’t playing Palko

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 9:29 AM EST up reply actions

Sit Him

get him ready for some ginger

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Nov 22, 2011 9:15 AM EST reply actions

play Dixon.

Ben can come in if needed. Give Dixon the start and see how he can do.

by steeler fever on Nov 22, 2011 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Not a bad idea.

Do we really need Ben to beat the Chiefs and Tyler Palko? If ever we had an ideal opportunity to give our most important player a chance to heal, this is it. I’m hoping the Steelers are just saying that Ben will be ready while preparing Batch to start.

by Billy52 on Nov 22, 2011 10:15 AM EST up reply actions

Charlie is a little fragile these days, lets save him for big time game replacement of Ben to manage a win if needed. I don’t trust Dixon there. Here I want to give Dixon an opportunity to shine.

by steeler fever on Nov 22, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

I thought DD was inactive.

by Billy52 on Nov 22, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

We "finally" agree on something - steeler fever

Charlie is very fragile and does not offer the diversity that Dixon has. If only he could transplant his football knowledge into Dixon’s head. dixon really needs a confidence booster. I would love to see Ben give his thumb another week to heal. Would also like to be able to give Woodley another week to heal. I would like to see our Offense and defense come alive against the Chiefs. But, I will settle for any kind of win that we can get without incurring any injuries. I would “hope” that it is an impressive win.

by Allen F on Nov 22, 2011 5:07 PM EST up reply actions

KC is so bad.......

How bad are they?

They are so bad we could start Tebow at QB and still win!

by steeler fever on Nov 22, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Start DD

And take the points. How bad is KC? Vegas has Steelers 10 to 10 1/2 point favorites.

"The standard is the standard." Mike Tomlin
The standard for Steeler football is #58. Me

by The 58 Standard on Nov 22, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

How

is Charlie too fragile but DD isn’t, Charlie had to step in for DD when he got his lil chicken legs hurt last year. Charlie’s injuries are three years past. I think they are both fragile, but Batch is the smarter of the two

People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee

by stillergorillar on Nov 22, 2011 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

You are correct on a couple of points, but.............

They are both fragile and Batch is smarter. But, Dixon can diversify. He is more talented, faster, has a stronger arm and can run the ball when he is “over- rushed” as he did against Baltimore last year. I just wish that someone could get into Dixon’s head and boost his confidence in himself. Also putting on some more muscle/weight. Especially his “lil chicken legs” (LOL).

by Allen F on Nov 22, 2011 7:21 PM EST up reply actions

Conversation

Cutler on the phone with Ben
________________________

Cutler: Yo Ben, how are you gonna play with injured thumb? I know I can’t.
BB: We’ve got steel balls.
Cutler: Yeah Steelers are tough as steel. I steel feel the effects of Harrison’s hugs from years ago. By the way, how did u injure your thumb?
BB: I told you we’ve got steel balls. I injured it when getting direct snap from Pouncey and my thumb got stuck between his balls.

by Bonek on Nov 22, 2011 9:58 AM EST reply actions

LOL

Things can always be worse....

by ncmt40 on Nov 22, 2011 10:51 AM EST up reply actions

That was funny!!!!

by Allen F on Nov 22, 2011 5:09 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't

Play Woodley this week even if he is available…. rest him up against KC and get him 100% for our playoff and division winning run..

by OR69faithfull on Nov 22, 2011 12:19 PM EST reply actions

Ben plays, Woodley sits,

Steelers win.

by crosby87 on Nov 22, 2011 12:46 PM EST reply actions

Start Ben

And if we have a 2 score lead by end of 3rd qtr bench him and start Dixon.

by Han on Nov 22, 2011 1:07 PM EST reply actions

All 3 QB's should be active this week....

…how Tomlin uses them is up to him. But they should all be available.

I would kill everyone in this room for a drop of sweet beer.
- Homer J. Simpson

by Homer J. on Nov 22, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

I'm not so sure this broken thumb is really broken

If it is I don’t want him playing.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill

by PixburghArn on Nov 22, 2011 2:02 PM EST reply actions

Ok, let's get things straight

A fracture is differ than a break. an aggravated fracture is different than a fracture- all taking different times to heal.

Either way, if there is a 2 or 3 score lead. Sit him. The chiefs looked hapless after the first qrter.

Same with woodley. If he can’t go, sit him. We need him for cincy and the niners.

by IronJake on Nov 23, 2011 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

Not too concerned...

After all, wasn’t it the 2005 season that he last had this injury. He broker his thumb on MNF against the colts (whom he later put out of the playoffs). I think this injury is much different than Cutler’s injury.

by slaken on Nov 22, 2011 2:22 PM EST reply actions

What about Sanders?

by Han on Nov 22, 2011 2:35 PM EST reply actions

All these mother f’ers act like they forgot about ~~Dre~~ Sanders

"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
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by John Stephens on Nov 22, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Nice reference

Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...

by StoneColdSteel on Nov 22, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

From what I heard

he practiced fully

I love the Steelers.

by tannofsteel84 on Nov 22, 2011 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

RUN RUN RUN

Or go Dog Go. Let’s run a three back backfield like Bettis did at ND with Memo-Mendy-Redzone. I know, ridiculous but just a wish we could get consistent with running. After last night’s showing I have a hard time buying into NE being the #2 seed even with 6 games to play. I hate the power rankings

"My baby...my mechanical masterpiece. So nearly complete. So nearly perfect. If I only had a living brain."--Evil Scientist, Looney Toones, circa 1952

by SaratogaSteelerFan on Nov 22, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions

Bus stop

Even the Bus would have trouble running the ball with our O-Line as it is now. Seems to be improving, but progress has been painfully slow.

"The standard is the standard." Mike Tomlin
The standard for Steeler football is #58. Me

by The 58 Standard on Nov 22, 2011 5:17 PM EST reply actions

Ben

We have to quit thinking of Ben as some indestructible Superman. The refs seem to have that mentality also and do not penalize opposing defenders for hitting him late and sometimes illegally (unlike they treat Tom Brady). He is a talented strong young man who evidently has a high pain tolerance. But we need to be careful to not go to the well too often. I would not want to see him be another Earl Campbell or Jim Brown when he retires. Have you seen Jim lately? He is walking with a cane and is stooped over. I would not want to see Ben end up like that. Those injuries catch up to you as you get older and arthritis sets into those joints.

by Allen F on Nov 22, 2011 7:32 PM EST reply actions