Pittsburgh Steelers place OLB Bud Dupree on the injured reserve list with groin injury

The Pittsburgh Steelers were hoping for a big sophomore season for outside linebacker Bud Dupree. Those expectations have since been dulled after a groin injury, which has hampered the pass rusher throughout training camp, has him being placed on the injured reserve list.

Steelers place OLB Bud Dupree on IR. missed entire preseason w what he said was bruised groin.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 4, 2016

The former Kentucky standout and head coach Mike Tomlin have downplayed the injury throughout training camp and the preseason, but just as Mike Mitchell in 2014, sometimes these types of injuries linger.

The news of Dupree heading to IR doesn't mean his season is over, but complicates things with Senquez Golson. Golson's foot injury will likely mean he is also heading to injured reserve. Both players' injuries mean they could return in the 2016 season, but the team is only allowed to designate one player to return during the season.

The Steelers could keep Golson on the active roster, making the decision an easy one, but they would have to be extremely confident in his recovery to come back and contribute in some way. The recent acquisition of Justin Gilbert from the Cleveland Browns certainly makes you think the team isn't going to be relying on much from Golson this season.

The team will now rely on Arthur Moats to anchor the left outside linebacker position, second year OLB Anthony Chickillo and even Jarvis Jones who played some left outside linebacker in his limited preseason action to fill the void left in Dupree's absence.

The team has signed ILB Steven Johnson, who was released Saturday, to the team to fill Dupree's roster spot.