The Steelers got some potential bad news Tuesday afternoon as left tackle Max Starks could possibly be out for the season with a serious neck injury involving a disc. Ed Bouchette reported that Starks was consulting with doctors late today to determine if the injury required surgery. Mike Tomlin called the injury a neck stinger at his press conference earlier in the day, but an afternoon MRI showed it to be a more serious injury of a disc in the upper vertebrae or neck area.
If indeed Starks is done for the season, that would mean the Steelers have lost both their left and right tackles this year as Willie Colon was lost prior to the start of training camp with an Achilles injury. The Steelers signed free agent tackle Flozell Adams and allowed him to make the transition to the right side. With the new injury to Starks, Adams could be headed to his natural left tackle position he played for many years with Dallas. Jonathan Scott could also be an option as too could be Tony Hills. Hills has been a disappointment since being drafted 3 years ago and Scott is much better suited to play on the right side.
Bouchette seems to think Adams will stay on the right side and Scott will get the nod to start at left tackle with Starks sidelined. I have been grading the Steelers offensive line performance all season and can tell you that I do not want Scott or Hills guarding the blind side of Ben Roethlisberger. Scott filled in earlier in the season against the Titans, but I do not think he his a good long term option, I would much rather see Adams get a shot with Scott playing the right tackle spot. Another option would be to move Trai Essex over to left tackle, but Essex is already the weakest link on the line at right guard. That could spell disaster as well.
In the end it likely will be Scott that gets the nod to help keep the line continuity. If Scott struggles, Adams could indeed be the next one up to bat.
