Maurkice Pouncey Out For Season, Tears MCL And ACL

The Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday 16-9, and they also lost Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker Larry Foote.

Pouncey on Sunday suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee during the Steelers’ opening possession of the game. Foote suffered from a ruptured bicep later in the game.

Pouncey suffered the injury when right guard David DeCastro fell on his right leg. After the game, DeCastro said, “We were trying to cut [block] the nose [tackle], and I must have gotten a piece of Pouncey as well. I’m not very happy about it.”

The game was a bad one for Pittsburgh after suffered their first home loss in September under head coach Mike Tomlin.

When asked if his players would both be out for the season, Tomlin said, “I would assume so but that’s an assumption at this point.”

Pouncey is one of the team’s vets and the anchor for its young offensive line. Foote is also a veteran on the team.

After the game, Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel said:

“It’s frustrating any time you lose guys that are key contributors, but that’s the business we’re in. It happens every year with every team. One man’s misery is another man’s opportunity, and someone’s got to step up.”

Pouncey is one of the best centers in the game and was promoted to team captain last week. Drafted in 2010, he has managed to make the Pro Bowl in each of his NFL years.

Taking over during the game for Pouncey was Kelvin Beachum. After the game, Tomlin said the second-year player did “admirable” in replacing Pouncey.

Beachum will likely compete all season for the center position against recently signed center Cody Wallace.

Equally worried about Pouncey is Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger:

“You never like to see a guy get hurt, regardless of who it is… [Pouncey] is our captain and our leader, and obviously a very good friend. It’s tough.”

Likely replacements are rookies Vince Williams and Terence Garvin alongside Lawrence Timmons, and third-year man Kion Wilson

Do you think the Steelers are in trouble without Maurkice Pouncey holding down the fort?