The Pittsburgh Steelers have a problem on their hands, if you believe the word from at least one offensive lineman. In the AFC Championship game, center Maurkice Pouncey went down with an injury, putting his status for the Super Bowl in question. On Wednesday, Chris Kemoeatu may have let the cat out of the bag when he said Pouncey wouldn’t be with the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
Here’s the money quote from Kemoeatu.
“We are definitely sad that he won’t be able to be with us in the Super Bowl. Definitely I feel bad for him. We just have to win it for him. We know how big this is for him and him not being able to play is definitely motivating for us to go out there and get that ring for him."
With another week to go until the Super Bowl, do the Steelers even know if Pouncey is out? Is unofficially declaring Pouncey out gamesmanship from Kemoeatu? Every team loves to play head games and though Pouncey’s injury looked serious, it’s impossible for the outside world to tell if he’ll be able to go next Sunday as of right now. Keep in mind, Pouncey himself said he would play in the Super Bowl come hell or high-water.
Without Pouncey, Doug Legursky would take his place. Legursky would be a step down for the Steelers, and earned Pro Bowl honors for his body of work in 2010. Against a front seven that loves to bring pressure from all angles, the Steelers would have a tough task on their hands without Pouncey in the mix.