Maurkice Pouncey Vows to Play in Super Bowl Despite High Ankle Sprain

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey had to be carted to the locker room following a first-quarter collision with Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas. He was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, but even so, the former University of Florida star is vowing to play in the Super Bowl.

"I know in my heart that I’m playing in that game," Pouncey told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "I had the same injury before on my other ankle and I know how to attack it. I know how to approach things."

Pouncey claims to have endured a similar injury when he was a sophomore at Florida, and that he was able to return for the subsequent game. Still, he knew from the moment that he incurred the injury that he wouldn't return to action against the Jets.

"It was the worst pain ever," he said.

The Steelers have already lost starting linemen Max Starks and Willie Colon for the season and are expected to be tested by a Packers' pass rush featuring the likes of B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Ben Roethlisberger also struggled to receive snaps with replacement Doug Legursky at center.

A high ankle sprain generally takes anywhere from four to six weeks to heal, while Pouncey has just two until the big game.