There’s no question that Pouncey’s injury will hurt the Steelers, but there’s one thing to keep in mind: The outcome of the Super Bowl has never been decided by a rookie center.
Pouncey’s first season in the NFL was a success, and he might have been the Steelers’ best offensive lineman by the end of the season, mostly because none of they could stay healthy. But his ruthless, hardnosed style of play — which isn’t all that far off from Logan Mankins — really overshadowed the fact that Pouncey wasn’t always at the top of his game.
Pouncey had flaws, and he did surrender pressure. He’s also superior to backup center Doug Legusrky, a Marshall product who went undrafted in 2008 and spent time on Pittsburgh’s practice squad.
The Steelers have created an interesting spin job with the media, with some players telling reporters that Pouncey will play, while others have said the opposite. At the very least, it’s a smart tactic because it forces the Packers to prepare for both Pouncey and Legursky, for whatever that’s worth.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin updated Pouncey’s status Monday.
“He has a high ankle sprain,” Tomlin told reporters at his news conference from the team hotel. “We’ve been very aggressive in terms of treating it, even putting him in a hard cast and so forth, just trying to do everything in our power to give him the best opportunity to participate. I don’t know what his chances [to play Sunday] are at this point, to be quite honest with you. He’s not going to be on a running clock until Wednesday.”
Tomlin was also asked about the reports that Pouncey has a fracture in the ankle.
“I’m sure it could be characterized as that,” Tomlin said. “I’m sure I’ve got something floating around in my ankle. The issue that’s keeping him from participating is a high ankle sprain.”
When Pouncey finally inched his way off the plane Monday, he was picked up on a cart that drove him a few dozen yards to the team bus. Six days before the Super Bowl, the Steelers didn’t think it was in Pouncey’s best interest to walk across a flat surface. How, then, would he be able to play against the Packers?
The positive thing for the Steelers, at least, is that Pouncey’s status won’t have a direct impact on the final score.
Can the Steelers beat the Packers without Maurkice Pouncey? Leave your thoughts below.
