Report: Steelers' Pouncey needs surgery, season in jeopardy
Steelers All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey is out indefinitely after suffering a broken fibula above his left ankle in Sunday's preseason game against Green Bay, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pouncey was injured while blocking on a run by Le'Veon Bell. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix landed on the back of Pouncey's leg as he tackled Bell to the ground.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that surgery will likely be required, and a timetable won't be determined until after the procedure. Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette reported that the operation will likely involve a metal plate to help the healing process.
This will be the second major injury for Pouncey in three seasons. He missed nearly the entire 2013 season after tearing his ACL on the first offensive drive of the year against Tennessee.
"This type of thing that happened again, you have to hate it for the guy," said Steelers guard Ramon Foster via the Post-Gazette. "I do. You know how close we are. You have to keep him around and keep his spirits up."
"He’s pretty down but he’s the type of guy he’ll put it behind him," added tackle Marcus Gilbert. "He’ll be back."
Reserve lineman Cody Wallace is likely to step in for Pouncey at center, but it's a huge loss for an offense that was expected to be among the best in the league. Pouncey, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, is the anchor for an offensive line that has improved drastically over the past few years.
"You know what he means to this team, not just the offense but the whole team," Foster said.
The Steelers weren't the only team on the field to suffer a major loss to injury Sunday. The Packers likely lost star receiver Jordy Nelson for the season due to a torn ACL.