By Sean Geddes 

Even though this will go down as a “W” in the win/ loss column, it was not without significant losses to the Steelers.

Defensive end Aaron Smith has been lost for at the very least the foreseeable future. He partially tore his left triceps in the third quarter, and underwent surgery on the arm Tuesday. The surgery went well, by all reports, but no timetable has been set for a return as Coach Tomlin wouldn’t go further than calling his time spent dealing with the injury “an extended period of time”.  Of course, Aaron being a 34 year old veteran who has spent most of 2 of his last 3 seasons on the sideline with injury, there is speculation by some in the fan base that this could be the end of his great run; but with Coach Tomlin coming out and saying that the team will wait and see, there is clearly hope that Smith could return to the team late, for or during a desired postseason run. We’re pulling for you Aaron, because our defense just isn’t quite the same without you. First rounder Ziggy Hood is expected to step in to Aaron’s spot for the time being, while we rotate in Nick Eason and Chris Hoke.

LaMarr Woodley also left the game with a hamstring injury, and according to Tomlin he’s also on a “let’s see” basis, although he is hopeful he will be able to play against New Orleans. He will be limited in practice, but if he shows enough during the week, I am sure he’ll be out there. This is very tricky though, because you can’t rush a hamstring. That can linger and cause you to be less effective for even longer than you could have been out, had a player fully rested and let it properly heal. Jason Worilds came in and applied good pressure in his first real game extended action. If Woodley can’t play I am sure we’ll see a similar situational rotation, subbing in either Worilds for passing downs, and Foote on short yardage or running downs, moving Timmons over to the edge on those plays. 

Flozell Adams left the game with an ankle injury. His ailment seems to be the least worrisome, as Coach said he would tough it out. Jonathan Scott took over for The Hotel while he missed time snaps, and that would be the plan, in the seemingly unlikely scenario Adams can’t go. I guess we’ll wait and see there too

In further, less recent injury news, Brett Keisel appears to be poised for a return this week. Brett has missed time with a hamstring injury of his own, but after missing the Miami game he should be back in action Sunday night. With Aaron out, we can use all hands on deck against the defending champs in their house in primetime.

“Any time you lose a player… others have to step up. You know the philosophy that we bind to as far as the standard being the standard and what we mean by that, quite frankly, is that those who step in… have to play winning football. That there are no excuses; that our intentions are the same on Sunday night, and that is to play winning football.”

-Coach Mike Tomlin

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