In a move expected since breaking his tibia on August 23rd in a preseason tilt against the Green Bay Packers, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed Maurkice Pouncey on the team’s Reserve/Injured; Designated For Return List and re-signed OG/C Doug Legursky just 24 hours after being released.
Neither move comes as a shock after the Steelers made an array of moves to set their 53-roster and 10 player practice squad. Pouncey will now be eligible to join the active roster after week eight of the regular season after being placed on short term IR.
The Steelers were cautious using the designation on Pouncey due to NFL rules that allow teams to only use the designated for return IR once a season.
For Legursky, his re-signing allows the Steelers to have an experienced backup both at guard and center as the season begins. With interior line depth desperately thin heading into the season opener against the New England Patriots, adding Legursky will provide some of that much needed depth.
