Steelers have ace up sleeve for depleted line
PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers were beset by injuries at tackle in the 2003 season, they looked within to fill the spot.
All-Pro guard Alan Faneca spent the majority of 2003 at left tackle after starter Marvel Smith was injured early in the season. It wasn’t ideal, but it was what the Steelers needed to do to have an opportunity to win.
With starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert and backup Ryan Harris both injured, the Steelers (3-1) could be ready to make a similar move Sunday when they host the New York Jets (1-3).
Third-year guard Chris Hubbard took most of the snaps at right tackle in practice Wednesday, but center Maurkice Pouncey said the plan is to get him some work there this week in case both Gilbert and Harris are out.
Gilbert suffered a sprained ankle late in the first half of Pittsburgh’s 43-14 victory Sunday over Kansas City and did not return. Harris suffered a hematoma in the second half. Though Harris finished the game, his injury could keep him sidelined this week.
“I do it every now and then at practice, never in a game,” Pouncey said about playing tackle.
The Steelers were happy with the way B.J. Finney played in place of injured left guard Ramon Foster against Kansas City. Foster, who missed that game because of a chest injury, said he felt good after making it through a full practice Wednesday.
Hubbard played both offensive tackle positions during training camp and the preseason to himself ready for this possibility, though he did struggle at times.
“It’s a different set between a guard and tackle,” Foster said. “It’s being able to work in space. (Hubbard) can do that. He’s athletic enough.”
But with Finney, a natural center, having played so well last week, the Steelers’ best five-man line just might include him in the middle and Pouncey, the Steelers’ most athletic lineman, at tackle.
It would not be the first time such a move was in the works.
According to Pouncey, former offensive line coach Sean Kugler called him the morning of a game in Dallas in 2012 when the possibility of left tackle Max Starks not being able to play arose.
“He called and said get ready for left tackle, Max is out,” Pouncey said. “I said, ‘Where? This is about to get real.’ Then Max ended up playing.”
If anyone doubts Pouncey’s athleticism, they need only look at the film from the win over the Chiefs. In the fourth quarter, when running back Le’Veon Bell broke off a 44-yard run, it was Pouncey leading him down the sideline like a pace car.
“Man, he’ll tell you he’s the best lineman in the league, not just center, but lineman, D-line or O-line,” said Foster.
The key for the Steelers is getting their five best offensive linemen on the field at the same time. Much will depend on if Foster is ready to return.
“It feels good today. We’ll see how it feels tomorrow, but today, it feels good,” Foster said Wednesday. “(We’ll have) five guys doing their job. That’s all I know right now.”
In addition to Gilbert and Harris, linebackers Jarvis Jones (ankle) and Ryan Shazier (knee), center Cody Wallace (knee), wide receiver Eli Rogers (toe) and cornerback Senquez Golson (foot) missed practice. Safety Robert Golden (hamstring) and safety Justin Gilbert (knee) each were limited. In addition to Foster, linebacker Anthony Chickillo (knee), wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (shoulder) and running back Roosevelt Nix (back) were full participants. … Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for a team-record 14th time following his 300-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Chiefs.