Steelers players confirmed to the media on Wednesday that reserve tackle Jerald Hawkins may have been lost for the season today. Hawkins went down on a non-contact drill with an apparent 'serious' knee injury.
Early reports indicate that the knee injury is likely an ACL tear. Recovery time is usually between 9-12 months. The news couldn't have come at a worse time for Hawkins who was primed to find playing time as the Steelers swing tackle, filling a role vacated by free agent Chris Hubbard.
“It’s tough, but it’s part of it,” Ramon Foster told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “Every year, it’s going to be somebody. You just hope it’s not somebody who is super significant. I don’t know the full details of it, but he did get carried off so we’ll wait to see what the medical report is.”
With Hawkins out the Steelers could turn to Matt Feiler who made the 53 man roster last season because Hawkins missed the beginning of the season. They also drafted tackle Chukwuma Okafor in the third round who could find his transitioning to the NFL expedited.
Along with Hawkins the team is also believed to have lost back up tight end Jake McGee. McGee spent the entire 2017 season on the practice squad, but many believed he could push for a spot on the 53 man this year.
The word on McGee is a torn Achilles,but there has been no confirmation on that. Third stringer Xavier Grimble likely will have an easy road to stay on the active roster now.
