Troy Polamalu
The Steelers might not have their All-Pro safety in the defensive backfield for the final three regular season games.
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Troy Polamalu might sit out the remainder of the regular season after he aggravated his strained right Achilles tendon. He could return for the playoffs, however.
It’s going to all depend on the team’s playoff positioning as they are currently up by one game in the AFC North. There could clinch the division with a win over the Jets in Week 15, along with a Ravens loss to the Saints. In the worst case scenario, Pittsburgh would claim one of the wild card spots, so they’re pretty much locked into the playoffs.
Following this Sunday’s game, the Steelers will host the Panthers on NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football, which wouldn’t be enough time to get Polamalu to 100%. Not to mention the fact that they shouldn’t need him to beat the lowly Panthers anyway.
Pittsburgh will close out the season at Cleveland on January 2, but they will likely be playing their second and third-string players for the majority of that game.
Polamalu, who has a team-leading six interceptions, first hurt his Achilles during the team’s loss to the Patriots in Week 10. He played through it without any problems until last week’s game against Cincinnati; he returned an interception for a touchdown and came up limping after the Bengals’ Carson Palmer landed on his right leg.
Basically, making sure Polamalu is healthy for the playoff run is ultimately more important than the next three games against reeling teams.
Ryan Clark shifted to the strong safety spot and will take Polamalu’s place there, while Ryan Mundy took over Clark’s free safety position. That duo will likely platoon in Dick LeBeau’s defense.
