Steelers linebacker James Harrison will be out for a number of weeks following surgery that he’s going to have this week. Fortunately, they are hopeful to get some of their other key injured players back.
“He has a right orbital fracture around his eye socket,” said Coach Mike Tomlin. “That is going to be fixed tomorrow. Needless to say he is going to be out for a number of weeks. I will have more details regarding that injury and the rate of recovery after he has the surgical procedure tomorrow to get that fixed.”
Harrison commented via Twitter: “I told y’all it’s wasn’t a concussion!! Lol I’ll be ok in time.”
Teammate Ryan Clark also weighed in via Twitter: “[Harrison] is a true tough guy & team player. He came back in the game w a broken orbital bone! He broke his eye! #Unbelievable!”
The Steelers will be rejuggling their linebackers, with Harrison out and Jason Worilds doubtful for next week, but Harrison is hard to replace as one of the main leaders of the Steelers defense.
“We have some adjustments that need to take place in terms of who is playing where,” said Tomlin. “We are in the process of doing those things now, specifically at the linebacker position with two outside linebackers being out.”
Tomlin also gave an update on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who injured his foot last week. The news was a little more encouraging for Steelers fans on that front.
“Ben had his foot x-rayed, MRI, thankfully nothing is broken,” said Tomlin. “It is a sprain. It may limit him at the early portions of the week. We anticipate him being able to participate in this football game.”
Tomlin is also hoping to get some other players back on the field, including offensive linemen Doug Legursky and Jonathan Scott. The patchwork offensive line was partly responsible for the beating that Roethlisberger took last week, where he was sacked 5 times and hit 8 times.
