With second-year linebacker Sean Spence now back practicing this week for the first time since he suffered his serious knee in the 2012 preseason finale, it is still unknown whether or not he will eventually get removed from the Pittsburgh Steelers PUP list over the course of the next few weeks in order to resume his career. Defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, however, said Thursday during his weekly talk with the media that he believes the young linebacker has a good chance of playing again.
“It’s great [to see him back on the field],” said LeBeau. “I had a special feeling yesterday when he stepped on the field and in uniform. You know what that young man has been through, and the work that he has put in. He is going to be a success in life, and in all probability, a success in the NFL. He is a special young man.”
Spence is slowly getting back into the groove of things and his removal from the PUP list will not take place this week. The Steelers will still have two more weeks, however, before a final decision needs to be made on his status for 2013, but LeBeau’s words certainly sound encouraging as do the words of fellow linebacker Jason Worilds.
“He’s that much smarter now,” said Worilds, according to Will Graves of the Associated Press. “Whereas a year ago, he was making plays but he was making plays off his natural ability. Now he’s learned. It’s going to be exciting.”
Spence is indeed a special player and when he returns, you can bet that LeBeau will find a way to utilize him and it will certainly be exciting to see.
