Seeing is believing for Steelers
-
Linebacker James Harrison, talking with Troy Polamalu, right, returned to practice Wednesday for the first time since breaking the orbital bone around his right eye Oct. 2. The question: Will he/can he play Sunday?
Share with others:
Don't count James Harrison out of the AFC North showdown Sunday night at Heinz Field -- even if James Harrison already did.
Harrison practiced for the first time Wednesday since the orbital bone around his right eye was broken Oct. 2 in a freak accident late in the Steelers game at Houston. After practice, all things seemed to be eye-OK.
"It felt good to be back out there practicing," Harrison said.
The return of the four time All-Pro linebacker to his position on the right outside of the defense would be a boost for a team that has lost the services of fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley to a hamstring injury and inside linebacker James Farrior to a calf injury.
PG VIDEOAll three were officially listed by coach Mike Tomlin as having "limited" participation in practice Wednesday, but Harrison is the only one of the three with a chance to play when the first-place Steelers (6-2) play Baltimore (5-2), and it might be a good chance.
Harrison wrote Monday on Twitter that it "looks like I won't be playing this weekend" after he visited the doctor but was cleared to practice. After practice yesterday, however, he said he could be cleared to play this weekend if he passes another eye exam Friday or Saturday.
"I'll probably get scanned again, and they'll ask me how I'm feeling," said Harrison, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2008.
It has been a rough year for Harrison. He had two back surgeries in March, started the season slowly because of it and then came the freak injury. A collision ripped off his chinstrap and the padding in the top of the helmet was violently shoved down into his eye.
"It blew out the bone underneath it," Harrison explained.
He wore a tinted visor in practice and will do so when he plays next -- he said he hopes doctors will clear him for Sunday. He warned, however, that he would leave the decision in their hands and not try to push them if they balk at him playing.
First Published November 3, 2011 12:00 am
