Kansas City Chiefs DE Vance Walker pleads innocence on leg-whip to Ben Roethlisberger

Chiefs DE Vance Walker: "I wasn’t intentionally trying to trip anybody. ... I tried to jump in there. Throw my hips in there."

— Chris Harlan (@CHarlan_Trib) December 21, 2014

The Pittsburgh Steelers offense has been a very healthy unit throughout the 2014 season, and the crucial players like Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown and Le'Veon Bell have all remained unscathed in terms of nagging injuries which can hinder a player's performance.

Steelers Nation held its collective breath after Roethlisberger hit Brown for a touchdown pass and the franchise quarterback was on the ground in visible pain.

Replays showed Kansas City Chiefs DE Vance Walker engaged with David DeCastro and at the last second threw his leg out and made contact with Roethlisberger's knee. Roethlisberger went to the locker room, but later emerged and never missed an offensive snap.

Following the game, Walker spoke about the play. "I wasn't intentionally trying to trip anybody...I tried to jump in there. Throw my hips in there."

Walker's words will do little to ease the angst that Steelers fans are feeling toward the play, but it wouldn't be a surprise if he receives a fine from the league office. Fortunately for the Steelers and their fans, Roethlisberger seems to have avoided a major injury and shouldn't miss any time as the team is now preparing for their first playoff berth since the 2011 season.