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Steelers adjusting without Pouncey, sign Legursky

4 min read
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PITTSBURGH – Replacing All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey won’t be easy.

But the Steelers feel like they’re better prepared to do so now than they were in 2013, when Pouncey suffered a season-ending injury on the first drive of the regular-season opener against the Tennessee Titans.

Pouncey suffered a fibula fracture in his lower left leg during the Steelers’ 24-19 victory Sunday over the Green Bay Packers in a preseason game at Heinz Field. He had surgery Monday to insert a plate into the leg and will likely be placed on the Injured Reserve list with a designation to return, meaning he will be out until November.

“You’ve got guys who have played. Everybody around him has grown up,” said guard Ramon Foster. “You’ve got guys who have played a lot. Plugging Cody in should be easy because we’ve played with him before.”

Cody is backup center Cody Wallace, who will get the first opportunity to mix into a now-veteran line that includes Foster and David DeCastro at guard and Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert at tackle.

Wallace was signed in 2013, when the Steelers were playing without Pouncey, to serve as the backup to center Fernando Velasco. He started four games that season after Velasco was injured and has remained with the team.

The Steelers finished 8-8 in 2013 and are 10-12 without Pouncey in the lineup.

“Obviously, he’s one of the leaders of our team,” Wallace said. “But guys have confidence in me. All those guys look to him for leadership. I think we’ll pick it up.”

The Steelers signed veteran lineman Doug Legursky on Tuesday.

A seven-year NFL veteran, Legursky began his career with the Steelers in 2009 as an undrafted free agent out of Marshall. He spent four seasons in Pittsburgh.

Legursky signed a free-agent contract with Buffalo in 2013, then played two games for San Diego last year after the Chargers had a rash of injuries at center.

“We’re going to see how it goes. I’m just going to rock’n’roll, man,” said Legursky, who kept his home in the North Hills despite being away from the Steelers for two years.

“It’s always tough to fill the shoes of Pouncey. I played in this town a lot of years before I ventured to other places. I’m just here to do whatever they ask of me.”

Legursky knows a little about filling in for Pouncey. He did so in Super Bowl XLV after Pouncey suffered a sprained ankle in the AFC Championship game. He also replaced Pouncey in both 2011 and 2012 for short stints.

Wallace will get the first shot at starting. Offensive coordinator Todd Haley said, while Wallace is solid, there are changes the Steelers will make to their blocking schemes.

“Maybe we won’t use some of the special plays that we had to utilize some of (Pouncey’s) unique ability,” Haley said. “Last week, when Cody was in there, he got out in the flat and blasted (Packers linebacker) Julius Peppers. It happened right in front of us and we knew it was him as soon as it happened. He’s a feisty, scrapper guy who is a gamer.

“When he’s been put in positions to play, he’s generally done a good job. We’re a lot further ahead of the game than we were a couple of years ago when we lost Pouncey for an extended period.”

Where the Steelers will really miss Pouncey is in the leadership department. Pittsburgh also was leaning heavily on having the same starting offensive line for the second consecutive season.

“It’s about them, their continuity together,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. “Those other four will help. And Cody has been a part of that group for a while. Doug knows all those guys as well. They’ll be fine. Those are huge shoes to fill. They’re not going to try and be Pounce. They’re going to be the best that they can be.”

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