Polamalu Might Come Back From Injury In Week 17

The Pittsburgh Steelers might be getting one star back just as they lose another. While wide receiver Hines Ward might be a scratch due to his recurring hamstring problems, safety Troy Polamalu could be back for the team’s Week 17 game against the Dolphins. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Polamalu ran at practice, and that head coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Polamalu had not been ruled out yet.

The 8-7 Steelers need to win against the Dolphins on Sunday, and then hope for a bit of help, in the form of different permutations of Texans, Ravens and Jets losses, if they are going to qualify for the postseason. Polamalu has missed 10 games this season due to an assortment of knee injuries, and his absence has been noticeable for a Steelers defense that relies on him to be a playmaking presence in the secondary.

The Steelers have dropped five straight games to fall to the fringe of playoff contention at 6-7. They would have to win out, and hope for a lot of help if they are to have any hope of continuing their title defense. As SBN’s Behind the Steel Curtain notes, they have struggled all season long without Polamalu in the lineup, forcing fewer turnovers and giving up more yards in his absence.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who is not a human being at all, but is instead a news-breaking machine comprised of gears, axles, conveyor belts, and punch cards, reports that Troy Polamalu is expected to be out for a month.

The good news for Steelers fans, of course, is that Polamalu should hopefully be back for the playoffs. A straw-stuffed scarecrow is expected to bear the load in the Pittsburgh secondary until then. While not nearly as fast as Polamalu, it does scare birds away.

After sitting out practice on Thursday, the Steelers have ruled out All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu for the team’s Week 11 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.