The Pittsburgh Steelers officially lost three key players for the season on Monday when they placedMaurkice Pouncey, Larry Foote and LaRod Stephens-Howling on injured reserve. All three players suffered serious injuries in Pittsburgh's season opener.
Pouncey and Stephens-Howling both suffered serious knee injures while Foote suffered a torn bicep. All three were expected to play key roles for Pittsburgh this season. Pouncey may prove to be the hardest of the three to replace. Entering his fourth season, the three-time All-Pro went down in the first quarter and had to be carted off the field. Pouncey was diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.
The Steelers signed center Fernando Velasco to a one-year deal to replace Pouncey on the roster. Velasco started 16 games for the Titans last season, but was released in final roster cuts. The team also signed running back Jonathan Dwyer and kicker Shayne Graham. Dwyer spent the first three years of his career with the Steelers before being released in final cuts.
Graham gives Pittsburgh two kickers on the active roster. Shaun Suisham suffered a hamstring injury during warmups on Sunday and could miss a few weeks according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
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