Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive lineman, Chris Wormley left Sunday's contest with a knee injury. In his weekly press conference on Tuesday, head coach Mike Tomlin told the media that Wormley's injury will require surgery. Tomlin said that the veteran lineman is "out" for the team's Week 15 contest against the Carolina Panthers, but didn't say much beyond that. It seems likely though that Wormley will be out for the remainder of the season.
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The 29-year-old is a free agent after the season, likely hoping to get at least one more contract. The injury is detrimental to that, but he should still get another shot somewhere. That may not be in Pittsburgh though, as we may have seen the last of Wormley in a Steelers uniform. Since being acquired from the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, he's made 16 starts in Pittsburgh, including 14 in 2021. Tomlin described Wormley's loss to the defensive line "significant." In 2022, the veteran has played 39.81% of the team's defensive snaps.
If there's any positive aspect to this, it's the fact that rookie defensive lineman, DeMarvin Leal will be able to get more opportunities the rest of this season. That will be crucial, as the rookie missed a large portion of this season with his own injury. He's shown flashes of living up to the hype of his third-round pick status, as he figures to be a part of this team's future on defense, especially with the defensive line aging. Tyson Alualu, also a pending free agent after the season, won't return in 2023 and may even retire.
Isaiahh Loudermilk is another guy that may deserve a look down the stretch. Sunday's loss dropped Pittsburgh to 5-8, meaning the postseason is a long shot at this point. With the team having nothing to lose, playing its young guys would be beneficial for everyone. After seeing the field a decent bit as a fifth-round rookie in 2021, Loudermilk has played just 77 defensive snaps and 39 special teams snaps in 2022. He saw the field for 14 total snaps on Sunday, but that should increase moving forward.
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Elsewhere in the injuries department, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett is unsurprisingly in the concussion protocol. It's his second head injury of the season, so Tomlin will likely take things cautiously with his quarterback. He refused to name a starter if Pickett is unable to go, opening the door for Mason Rudolph to possibly start instead of Mitch Trubisky.
Tight end Pat Freiermuth also left Sunday's game with a foot injury, but was able to return to action. The second-year TE is okay, but may be limited in practice early in the week. Essentially, his status for Week 15 isn't in too much doubt, for now at least. Tomlin didn't have any other concerns regarding injuries, and he didn't mention cornerback William Jackson III, who remains on IR. Jackson has yet to see the field for the Steelers since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline.
Would you want general manager Omar Khan to bring Wormley back in 2023? Do you think this is the end of his tenure in Pittsburgh? What are your thoughts on Loudermilk and Leal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, yinz!
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