The Pittsburgh Steelers final training camp practice of 2014 is now underway at Saint Vincent College and several players will be sitting out the scrimmage against the Buffalo Bills.
According to Alex Kozora, long snapper Greg Warren (knee), linebacker Jarvis Jones (groin), linebacker Jordan Zumwalt (groin?), linebacker Vince Williams (concussion), tight end Matt Spaeth (unknown), center Maurkice Pouncey (unknown), guard Ramon Foster (knee), fullback Will Johnson (hamstring) and safety Will Allen (hamstring) are all sidelined Thursday.
Rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier had been limited the last few days and now you have to wonder if he’ll be able to play Saturday night in the preseason game at Heinz Field against the Bills if he’s limited again this evening. During his Thursday afternoon press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin only ruled out Warren for the upcoming game.
Jones and Zumwalt have battled groin tightness throughout training camp and with both missing quite a bit of practice time this week, it looks really questionable that either will play against the Bills. The same goes for Foster, who has been battling some knee swelling.
If Foster is unable to play Saturday night, backup center Cody Wallace might very well get the start at left guard instead of Chris Hubbard. Hubbard took over for Foster in the preseason opener last weekend against the New York Giants, but he did not play well.
If Jones is sidelined against the Bills, it will be interesting to see if Arthur Moats or Chris Carter gets the start at right outside linebacker. Moats has been running as the primary backup at both outside positions most of training camp.
UPDATE: Shazier is in team drills. Great sign.
