So far, you can refer to the Pittsburgh Steelers 2014 training camp as the year of the tight groin, as several players have been dealing with that particular injury ever since the team arrived at Saint Vincent College.
As of Friday night, you can add linebacker Jarvis Jones and rookie cornerback Shaquille Richardson to the list of players that are dealing with groin tightness. That list currently includes safety Mike Mitchell and rookie linebacker Jordan Zumwalt and might even include running backs LeGarrette Blount and rookie Dri Archer, as both, in addition to Jones, failed to practice underneath the Friday night lights of Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
Head coach Mike Tomlin talked about the groin epidemic at the conclusion of Friday’s practice.
“He’s just got a tight groin, much like a lot of guys that I’m giving days to,” said Tomlin of Jones. “Le’Veon Bell had a tight groin, Shaq Richardson’s got a tight groin tonight. It’s part of training camp. Some of the unanticipated direction changes with football, even when you are in top physical condition, your muscles break down. Its just part of it.”
Several other players also failed to practice Friday night because of minor injuries and that list includes tight end Eric Waters (back), tight end Rob Blanchflower (ankle), wide receiver Justin Brown (nose) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (head).
The Steelers did get two tight ends back on the field Friday night as Matt Spaeth and Michael Palmer both practiced after being allowed to sit out Thursday.
