Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu has practiced fully the last two days and appears to remain on track to play Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau did warn on Thursday, however, that just because the all-everything safety might be back, doesn\’t necessarily mean that he will be on the field every play after being out since Week 5 with a calf injury.
“Well, I think it means a lot,” said LeBeau, when asked what it means to him to get Polamalu back this week. “You know, his leadership and stability out there. And our guys have done a good job without him and he won\’t be able to be out there, I don\’t think, for every snap, but he\’s going to be able to take a significant role, and lets face it, when you can have #43 on the field, its a plus for the Steelers. So were looking forward to his return.”
LeBeau was next asked why they might need to be cautious with him in his first game back.
“Well, you know he\’s been idle for a good while and I think you just want him to build back into complete game condoning,” said LeBeau. He\’s in good shape. He\’s been able to run and I think that\’s how they were able to judge that he was ready to come back or not. The after effects of hard workouts. So his aerobic conditioning is good, but his football conditioning is going to keep in development. And we\’ll try to help him with that, but it will be good to have him back.”
About Polamalu possibly being a difference maker upon his return, LeBeau answered just as you would expect he would to that question.
“Well, he can make plays that only Troy can make and that\’s no knock on anybody else, but he\’s a rare player and he\’s always good to have in the game.”
