Steelers Need To Make Up For Lost Time: Literally

Every NFL team deals with it, but has any other NFL team had as many obstacles to overcome as the 2015 Pittsburgh Steelers?

Nine weeks into the season, the Steelers have faced a number of these hurdles, such as injuries and suspensions. They have started all 3 quarterbacks on their roster. They are on their 4th kicker. They have lost 2 starters on their offensive line, one of which is a perennial Pro Bowler. Their All-Pro running back not only sat out the first two games of the season, but was then placed on injured reserve after playing in only 6 games.

Before training camp, the Steelers offense was all the talk, yet the combined forces of Ben Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell, Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant only played 16 snaps together this season.

16 snaps.

And yet, the 2015 Steelers still find themselves with a winning record at 5-4, in the thick of the playoff race heading into the final stretch of the season. But it’s important to see where this team is and where this team was.

Here is a list of the “lost time” from players so far this season:

Ben Roethlisberger – 4+ games

Ben is still a TBD for Sunday’s game, which would be his 5th miss of the season. You can also count a full quarter lost in the Rams game, plus a half quarter lost in that game and another half quarter lost against the Raiders.

Bruce Gradkowski – 16 total games

Gradkowski, set for his 3rd season as Ben’s replacement, made a brief preseason appearance before being placed on season-ending IR.

Michael Vick – 1 game

Vick was Ben’s replacement in St. Louis and started the next 3 games against the Ravens, Chargers and Cardinals, until he also succumbed to injury against Arizona, leading the way for Landry Jones in the 4th quarter of that game.

Maurkice Pouncey – 9+ games

The two-time 1st team All-Pro (including last season) Pouncey has yet to see the field during the regular season, after another friendly fire incident injured his ankle and placed him on the IR designation to return list. It’s hopeful that he may still make it back to the team within the next few weeks, but conflicting reports also state he may be lost for the season.

Kelvin Beachum – 10 total games

The blindside protector at LT started 6 games this season before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. He will be lost for a total of 10 games.

Mike Adams – 9+ games

It’s unknown if Adams will ever return from the PUP list. Pittsburgh’s swing tackle, and top offensive line reserve, reported to camp with a back injury and has yet to see any action in 2015.

Le’Veon Bell – 10 total games.

Another 2014 All-Pro, Bell missed 2 games due to suspension before getting injured in week 8. He will also be lost for 10 total games when it’s all said and done.

Martavis Bryant – 5 games

Bryant missed the first 4 games of the season due to suspension, but was also unavailable to return in his first week of eligibility, due to injury.

Matt Spaeth – 2 games

While not a regular pass catcher playing in the TE position, Spaeth’s contributions as a run and pass blocker were missed twice this season.

Stephon Tuitt – 2 games

Before going down to “bumps and bruises associated with football” Tuitt lead the Steelers in sacks. He returned in week 9 against the Raiders after missing the previous 2 contests.

Daniel McCullers – 3 games

A reserve DT, McCullers missed the first 3 games of the season.

Jarvis Jones – 1 game

Historically on the injury report more often than on the field, the former first round selection and starting OLB missed one game this season.

Ryan Shazier – 4 games

Shazier, the team’s leading tackler through the first two weeks, also missed his share of games over the course of the season, returning in week 8 against the Bengals.

Terence Garvin – 3+ games

A reserve LB, Garvin is a special teams ace who plays a consistent amount of snaps for that unit. He is still listed as out for week

Will Allen – 3 games

This starting safety went down for 3 games, making way for a first-time starter (Robert Golden.) Allen returned in week 9.

Cortez Allen – 15 total games

Penciled in as a starting corner, Allen only played in the season opener, before appearing on injury reports and ultimately ending up on IR.

Shaun Suisham – 16 total games

A consistent kicker recently rewarded with a contract extension, Suisham was injured in the team’s first preseason game and lost for the year.

Garrett Hartley – 16 total games

Suisham’s replacement never made it to the regular season either, injuring his hamstring in the team’s fourth preseason game.

 

If I missed any players, let me know, because with all of injuries and suspensions, it’s becoming difficult to keep track of.

 


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