The Pittsburgh Steelers will open up their 2014 preseason Saturday night against the New York Giants and they will do so without their first-round draft pick in pads.
Rookie inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who has missed the last several practices with what several believe is a knee injury, will not play Saturday night against the Giants, according to PR man Burt Lauten.
Since suffering the injury, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has referred to Shazier’s injury as a “boo boo”. With Shazier down, there’s a good chance that third-year linebacker Sean Spence will start alongside Lawrence Timmons. Spence has not played since injuring his knee in the Steelers final preseason game of his rookie season.
Also scheduled to sit out Saturday night’s game are nose tackle Steve McLendon (concussion), tight end Michael Palmer (unknown) and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey (concussion).
With McLendon out, we might see newcomer Cam Thomas get the start at nose tackle with second-round draft pick Stephon Tuitt getting the start at left defensive end.
Four @steelers will not be in uniform tonight vs @Giants: #50 R. Shazier, #82 Michael Palmer, #85 D. Heyward-Bey & #90 S. McLendon
— Burt Lauten (@SteelersPRBurt) August 9, 2014
Giants Inactives
Odell Beckham Jr.
Trindon Holliday
Peyton Hillis
Trumaine McBride
Jon Beason
Will Beatty
Daniel Fells
Xavier Grimble
Mike Patterson
Kelcy Quarles
