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Plaxico Burress injury: Judging by available free agents, Burress's spot more likely to be filled internally

There aren't many appealing free agents available on the market, meaning Saturday's preseason game against the Giants becomes even bigger for the group of young fringe-roster receivers the Steelers have.

Karl Walter

Odds are pretty good, like "Wild Thing" Ricky Vaughn, Titus Young won't be able to make it to Steelers training camp this year. Sadly, odds might be better Terrell Owens would get a call, but that won't happen.

Mike Sims-Walker was unimpressive with the Jets in a minicamp tryout earlier in the offseason, and Seyi Ajirotutu is probably injured - he usually is.

Chad Johnson? No.

Going down the list of available free agent wide receivers the Steelers might give a call in wake of the rotator cuff tear suffered by Steelers WR Plaxico Burress Thursday, it seems the truest statement that can be made is "they're still free agents for a compelling reason."

Most likely, the Steelers will look to bump up some of their younger guys into spots Burress might normally fill and see if, as Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would say, the game isn't too big for them.

Derek Moye and J.D. Woods are compelling candidates heading into Saturday's preseason opener against the Giants (7:30 p.m. ET). Kashif Moore has made a play or two in camp, and don't rule out 2012 Training Camp Darling David Gilreath.

Let's not forget Reggie Dunn (cue choir of angels). He's runs in the 4.2 range.

Jerricho Cotchery was also fairly viewed as a possible bubble player in this training camp, but it would be harder for the Steelers to release him now; ironically he'd become perhaps the strongest receiver on the market now if he was released.

It would be more fitting for the Steelers to continue with their preparations for the Giants game than to make any moves toward the roster. After the game, though, they may add someone, when they formally place Burress on injured reserve.

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