Major Injuries Plague Steelers, Packers Offenses in Preseason Clash

What was supposed to be a mutually beneficial game between two franchises with the utmost respect for each other turned sour very quickly on Sunday, as the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers took the field in week 2 of the NFL preseason.

Both Pittsburgh’s exemplary center Maurkice Pouncey, and Green Bay’s explosive wideout Jordy Nelson, left the game with lower leg injuries expected to keep both players out for an extended period.

Pouncey suffered an ankle injury for which head coach Mike Tomlin said surgery is “likely.” If so, the lineman is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Pouncey was rendered temporarily unable to stand after an ugly looking play in which he was lead blocking for Le’Veon Bell, only for Bell to fall forward in the tackle.

The weight of Bell and Packers corner Ha-Ha Clinton Dix collapsed right onto Pouncey’s ankle, making him fall awkwardly. Pouncey was a key component of Pittsburgh’s revamped offensive line last season, and his absence could mean the Steelers will again struggle to protect Ben Roethlisberger and open up running lanes for their backs.

Strangely, Jordy Nelson’s injury looked a lot less severe but could keep him out for far longer than Pouncey. Nelson went straight to ground after a routine pass-and-catch play for five yards. The non-contact injury occurred when he planted his leg into the turf, with early reports suggesting a torn ACL as the diagnosis.

The news is disastrous for Nelson, who has been the team’s most reliable target for multiple seasons. A potential season-ending injury could see newly re-signed Randall Cobb taking up the #1 spot in the Packers’ receiving corps.

Thankfully for Green Bay, news wasn’t so grim for superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After leaving the game with his throwing wrist heavily taped, Rodgers was later seen without any bandaging, suggesting it was merely a precaution.

Still, for a game that doesn’t mean anything, the outcome could have a major long-term impact on both team’s offenses this season.