Reluctantly, I am once again the bearer of bad news; according to cbssports.com, Pro-Bowl linebacker James Harrison is officially listed as a “game-time decision” come Sunday night’s matchup against the Denver Broncos.
Harrison has missed two practices already this week, and while the Steeler’s official categorization of his injury seems optimistic, it seems doubtful that Harrison will be prepared for Sunday night’s game after missing a practice so late in the week.
The Steelers’ LB has been plagued by back stiffness since early spring, but for now the problem resides with his left knee. Harrison has been playing through swelling and soreness since the beginning of preseason, but symptoms have increased to the point where he can no longer ignore them.
At age 34, Harrison’s condition draws a skeptical eye toward the veteran defensive star, but doubts seem to be poorly founded. He’s rarely succumbed to injuries in the past, and if the 2011-2012 season were any indicator, Harrison has hardly lost a step going into his 9th season.
In a city already disgruntled after the early injuries to two rookies, David DeCastro and Sean Spence, the news of Harrison is, for lack of a better term, icing on the cake. However, confidence is still high in the Burgh, where optimism continues to increase, despite the few minor setbacks. For now, fans will patiently await Harrison’s return, which may appear sooner rather than later, as many figure Harrison will most likely not miss more than one week.
Photo Credits: Getty Images
