Steelers' new compensation plan
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Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau (right) may have to work even more magic than last week.
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No LaMarr Woodley. No James Farrior. No James Harrison.
Problem.
Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, whose bag is full of tricks and treats, may have to pull many of them out this week. The meeting room for Steelers linebackers could move to a Red Cross tent. Such is the state of their injuries that coach Mike Tomlin talked Tuesday about the possibility of playing all kinds of different defenses Sunday to compensate.
It's not a good time to be losing your best linebackers when the Baltimore Ravens come to Heinz Field for a rematch and perhaps the showdown that ultimately will determine the AFC North Division champion.
PG VIDEOBut Tomlin declined to list any of his linebackers as "out" for the game Sunday night when he reviewed his injured players and their prospects.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, however, reported that Woodley will miss the game this week and might not play until Nov. 27 because of the hamstring injury that forced him out of the fourth quarter of the 25-17 victory Sunday against New England. Woodley leads the AFC with nine sacks after sacking quarterback Tom Brady twice.
The Post-Gazette also reported that Farrior might miss a month with a torn calf muscle. And Harrison took to Twitter to say he will practice but not play this week after missing the past four games with a broken orbital bone.
At least, second-year backup Jason Worilds, who has missed the past four games with a thigh injury, will practice and might return to uniform Sunday. If so, that would give the Steelers six linebackers, assuming Harrison is unable to play.
Without Harrison, three of the four starters were backups to open the season, and Lawrence Timmons will have moved from his regular job at inside linebacker to Harrison's spot on the right outside. The other three starters -- Larry Foote and Stevenson Sylvester inside and Worilds or rookie Chris Carter on the outside.
First Published November 2, 2011 12:00 am
