MCL ousts LB Sean Spence for season as Pittsburgh Steelers become linebackers-thin – NFL News
The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken a blow at the middle defensive position with ousting of linebacker Sean Spence out for rest of the season with a multiple ligament injuries.
A section of media has cited anonymous sources saying the player was injured in the game against the Carolina Panthers and is most likely to sit out the entire season on the sidelines nursing the knee injury.
The report has cited the injury to be a multiple ligament problem in the left knee and since being a serious blow it is unlikely the Steelers expect the LB back to action this season at all.
Although there is no confirmation from the Steelers if they decide to place the player on the injured reserve (IR) list, if he is able to recover in next couple of months, he might rejoin the team in October this year.
With James Harrison still out – despite being removed from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list - and Stevenson Sylvester also out with a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury, the Steelers are thin at the LB position.
The situation is expected to improve to an extent on timely return of James, but since he is coming back from an injury some commentators foresee his count of snaps reduced initially. He nevertheless remains crucial to the team’s defensive line; his reputation
of going rough against quarterbacks makes him more effective in defence.
To tackle the situation at Spence’s place, the team is expected to position Brandon Johnson to offer cover for him, with apparently no other option available before them.
It is no way a good development for the Steelers with the season just about a week away to start, and they can now look for switching available players on the defensive positions. For example, Jason Worilds, who was cleared to play this week, can handle
the situation on the outside spot.
Having parted ways with some veterans earlier in the season, the injury scares have started hitting the Steelers hard at the linebacker position with the season just around the corner, and the team can only hope not to suffer any further.
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