Pouncey, Haden working way back
One’s outlook is better than the other
There will be at least one Gator sighting Sunday afternoon at Heinz Field, but two might be pushing it.
Steelers cornerback Joe Haden literally is pushing himself to be ready in time for Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks after his right shoulder was injured in Week 1 at New England. Haden managed a full practice Friday morning, as did fellow former Florida star Maurkice Pouncey, but the Steelers center sounds more optimistic with regard to his availability.
“I feel really good,” Pouncey said after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday with an injury. “I’m playing this week, so this can be a short interview, honestly. … Especially after last week, man, hell, who wants to miss a game?”
Asked if there were any lingering issues with the ankle he hurt in the 33-3 loss to the Patriots, Pouncey replied, “None; I feel really good.”
But Haden is a different story. His right shoulder is feeling better, but after keeping him out Wednesday and Thursday as well, it might have to improve between now and Sunday in order for him to suit up.
“Hopefully, I can go,” said Haden, who received treatment immediately after practice. “Obviously, there’s still a little pain, but it is what it is.”
It mostly bothers him when he tries to tackle, but he plans to put extra cushion underneath his shoulder pads to keep it out of harm’s way. If Haden does play, he’ll have his starting free safety back, as Sean Davis confirmed that he’s 100 percent ready to go after missing the season opener with an ankle injury from the final preseason game.
Second-year undrafted free agent Kameron Kelly started in place of Davis, and the defense suffered.
“He’s been very, very vocal. I’m glad he’s back out there,” Haden said of Davis. “He knows the defense very well, he’s always comfortable, so just hearing his voice back there kind of helps, because he knows what he’s talking about.”
If Haden can’t go against the Seahawks, fourth-year cornerback and former starter Artie Burns likely would be next in line.
“I’m very confident in Artie, man. He’s been doing great — OTAs, training camp, he’s been locked in, focused, making a lot of plays,” Haden said. “He’s just been taking it very, very seriously, so I know he’s ready whenever his number’s called.”
Fullback plan?
One injured player who won’t heal up by Sunday is fullback Roosevelt Nix, expected to miss at least two more games, if not more, with a knee injury.
Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Tuesday that he and his staff will have to formulate a plan for other options at Nix’s spot, but don’t expect it to be 6-foot, 225-pound backup running back and college all-purpose player Jaylen Samuels.
“If they ask me to, I have to. But I haven’t been working it this week, no,” said Samuels, who was considered a tight end or H-back at N.C. State. “We’ve got another plan going in, so, hopefully whoever steps in Rosie’s spot will make something happen.”
According to Samuels, that plan mostly consists of using a tight end at fullback if needed, though the Steelers only had starter Vance McDonald and backup Xavier Grimble active in Foxborough. And at 6-8, it’s hard to imagine rookie third-stringer Zach Gentry occupying the backfield in his NFL debut.
“It just depends on the personnel,” Samuels said, “so, whatever tight end gets called in there” is who you might see — not that Nix played even a single offensive snap anyway in Week 1.
Bush’s big day
First-round pick Devin Bush has a few of the major milestones out of the way — first preseason game, first road trip, first regularseason experience — but Sunday will bring another checkpoint in his NFL journey.
Bush will play his first game in Pittsburgh when the final score actually matters and will get to hear the home crowd fawning over him in much louder fashion than an exhibition. Given that it’s the home opener and this team’s biggest stars are on offense, Bush might not get to run out of the tunnel for the first time as an announced starter. But he’s “super excited” about what’s on tap, and the feeling only grows the more he sees fans wearing “BUSH 55” around town.
“I’ve seen a couple,” Bush said with a smile. “It’s actually kind of something to get used to, that you’ve got your last name on a jersey.”