Steelers vs Ravens: Injury reports

by cgolden on Dec 28, 2007 9:01 AM EST in News Comment 10 comments

If you don't have the rosters in front of you for Sunday's game against the hated Ravens, you might say to yourself, "who are these guys?" Not only does this game mean nothing (unless the Chargers lose to the putrid Raiders) to the Steelers but the Ravens are ravaged with injuries. Kyle Boller and Willis McGahee have already been ruled out for the game and several other stars are questionable to doubtful with injuries. This is likely to look like a preseason game by the second half. Here are the injury reports according to NFL.com:

STEELERS
Practice Report
Did Not Participate
Wednesday: LB Clint Kriewaldt (neck), WR Willie Reid (shoulder), T Marvel Smith (back)
Thursday: LB Andre Frazier (groin), LB Clint Kriewaldt (neck), S Troy Polamalu (knee), T Marvel Smith (back)

Limited Participation in Practice
Wednesday: LB Andre Frazier (groin), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle)
Thursday: WR Willie Reid (shoulder), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), CB Allen Rossum (hamstring)

Ravens
Did Not Participate In Practice
Wednesday: QB Kyle Boller (head), WR Mark Clayton (head), TE Todd Heap (thigh), LB Ray Lewis (back), RB Willis McGahee (chest), S Gerome Sapp (thigh), TE Quinn Sypniewski (head), TE Daniel Wilcox (thigh)
Thursday: QB Kyle Boller (head), TE Todd Heap (thigh), LB Ray Lewis (back), RB Willis McGahee (chest), S Gerome Sapp (thigh), TE Quinn Sypniewski (head)

Limited Participation in Practice
Wednesday: RB Mike Anderson (thigh), T Jonathan Ogden (thigh), WR Demetrius Williams (ankle)
Thursday: RB Mike Anderson (thigh), WR Mark Clayton (back), T Jonathan Ogden (thigh), TE Daniel Wilcox (thigh), WR Demetrius Williams (ankle)

I don't have to tell you that it looks like a M.A.S.H unit with all of those injuries. We will get our first look at Ohio State product Troy Smith in his first start against Pittsburgh and running back will be a combination of Musa Smith and the hobbled Mike Anderson. Todd Heap looks like he'll miss another game, but that's no surprise as he's missed more games than he's played this year and the veteran Jonathan Ogden looks to still be beaten up with injuries in a forgettable season. Even Steeler hater, Ray Ray looks to be out for the season finale. The more I look at who will and who won't be playing I think the Steelers' second team can handle the team that will take the field for the Ravens. I hope that Chris K, Willie Reid, Woodley, Timmons and even Darnell Stapleton get extended playing time this week. I wouldn't mind getting Ryan McBean suited up so that he can get his first live action.

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Too bad the Chargers game isn't earlier

It would be nice for our guys to know if the 3 seed is still in play. Oh, well, as you say, we should be able to beat this team with our 2nd team, with all of the players they'll have out.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 28, 2007 10:29 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Todd Heap

We could do without.

by steelerinRI on Dec 28, 2007 11:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Big Ben

I find it worth noting that Big Ben has yet to start all 16 regular season games (given this year its because the game is meaningless, but he still has lingering injuries). I wouldn't go as far as to say he is injury prone, and playing behind the matadors we have in front of him does not help at all. The issue is further compounded by his style of holding the ball longer than most QB's to extend plays and look for the "home run".

My concern is that if/when he is signed to a long term contract (clearly the #1 priority), there needs to be a big effort to protect him (IMO #2 priority). I feel all of the little injuries, plus the trauma of the motorcycle accident, will have longterm effects on his successfulness in the next 5 or so years. The Steelers will have a chance to compete for a Super Bowl title every year he is healthy because, unlike 75% of the league, we have a QB who can win us games. Without him, all of that changes.

by _ET_ on Dec 28, 2007 12:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Priorities 1 and 1A

I would say those two priorities are so integrated that signing him longterm may be worthless if we don't fix the OL and get him more protection. Also, he needs to learn when to hold and buy time and when to just throw it away. But, if we sign him long term, then he gets blindsided and has a career threatening/ending injury, not only will we no longer have a great QB, but we won't have a good OL to help make a decent QB better.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 28, 2007 2:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Also

I also meant to mention the salary cap. If, heaven forbid, something ended Ben's career, we'd be stuck in salary cap hell for a couple of years.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 28, 2007 2:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the risk every team with a decent QB has

Colts, Pats, Bengals, Saints, Cowboys

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 28, 2007 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Always a risk

Of course, you always run that risk. I'm just saying, fix the OL, and you reduce that risk.

I wouldn't put Michael Vick in the category as the QBs for those teams, but look at the Falcons without vs. with him.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Dec 28, 2007 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1 and 1A

That's why it's important that they draft at least a couple OL in the draft. This line needs an infusion of young talent.

"The more violent team will win tonight" - Mike Tomlin.

by cgolden on Dec 28, 2007 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Live with sacks

As long as Ben is the QB, you have to be prepared to live with a few extra sacks. This year's total is obscene, but I can live with extra pressure and a few extra hits in exchange for Ben's ability to make big plays. He's a big dude and his strength is an asset that helps him maximize his talent.

But no question the line needs to be improved. I don't expect the club to sign Starks because as cgolden has said, they won't go out of their budget to match what will likely be some very good offers. The would rather use their money on an UFA OL they like more.

by steeler lifer on Dec 28, 2007 5:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs