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Any illusions of health among the oft-injured Steelers offensive line left emphatically in Sunday's 21-18 loss to Oakland.
Left guard Ramon Foster suffered what the team called a concussion in the second quarter, and was replaced by Guy Whimper.
Whimper lasted until the third quarter when he went down with a knee injury. He was replaced by seldom (read: never) used Cody Wallace.
Not long after Whimper went down, right guard David DeCastro was lost in the third quarter with an ankle injury. On the Steelers' final scoring drive in the fourth quarter, Mike Adams was at left tackle with Kelvin Beachum moving to left guard. Fernando Velasco remained at center while Cody Wallace took right guard. Marcus Gilbert was at right tackle.
DeCastro and Whimper will both get MRIs on their return to Pittsburgh, putting the stability of the offensive line once again in a state of flux. Depending on whether Foster can return to the field, and the severity of the injuries suffered by Whimper - who's become the team's top back-up since Beachum began starting at left tackle - and DeCastro - arguably the best performer on the line this season - the Steelers could have a big problem as they reach the midpoint of their season.
Injuries ravaged the offensive line last season, and while that line this year had come together fairly well over the last two games, it may be back to the drawing board again if DeCastro's injury is significant. He missed all but three games of the 2012 season with a knee injury.
The Steelers lost center Maurkice Pouncey for the season in Week 1.
More from Behind the Steel Curtain:
- Steelers vs. Raiders Final Score: Raiders put three-phase beating on Pittsburgh
- David DeCastro injury: Steelers out of linemen as right guard hurts ankle in third quarter
- Guy Whimper injury: Steelers use third left guard of the game, Cody Wallace, after Whimper hurt in third quarter
- Steelers vs. Raiders second half open thread
- Ramon Foster Injury: Steelers LG out with possible concussion, Guy Whimper in vs. Raiders
- Steelers vs. Raiders Inactives: Curtis Brown sitting again for Pittsburgh