Steelers injury report: Foster, Woodley, Keisel miss practice Thursday

The Steelers are in "hope for the best, prepare for the worst" mode concerning injuries to three starters - left guard Ramon Foster, defensive end Brett Keisel and outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley.

It's not a trio of players they can easily do without. None of them practiced Thursday, cast doubt over their ability to play Sunday vs. the explosive Detroit Lions.

Foster isn't expected to play, according to Tribune-Review reporter Alan Robinson, although Woodley and Keisel will both try to practice Friday in an effort to get on the field.

Guy Whimper will start at left guard for the Steelers in the seemingly likely event Foster can't play. Presumably, Ziggy Hood would play for Keisel, and Jason Worilds would shift from the defensive right side to the left, and Jarvis Jones would take the right side spot.

Jones was benched in favor of Worilds after Week 8, but did notch his first career sack last week against Buffalo.

The absence of Woodley in this game would be painful for the Steelers. He's been basically their only source of pass rush from the outside linebacker position, leading the team with 21 quarterback hurries.

The Steelers host the Lions at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.

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