The Steelers locker room following the team’s big 25-13 victory over the Arizona Carindals was subdued by the news that starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum has a torn ACL in his left knee.
Beachum was injured on a rushing play in the second quarter against the Cardinals. He was helped to the sideline and left the field on a cart.
He was seen in crutches after the game, when head coach Mike Tomlin announced the nature of his injury. ACL tears usually require surgery and are often season ending. The Steelers did not give a further prognosis.
Beachum was replaced by first-year tackle Alejandra Villanueva. Villanueva played tight end, defensive end and wide receiver in college at West Point. After spending 5 years out of football while serving as a Captain in the Army Rangers, the Steelers signed him to their practice squad last season.
He made the team’s 53-man roster out of training camp thanks to an injury to fellow backup tackle Mike Adams. Now Villanueva will be asked to step into a starting role for the Steelers. Adams is eligible to be activated from the physically unable to perform list, but it remains to be seen if he is ready to play.
First-year players Kelvin Palmer and Mitchell Van Dyk are on the practice squad and the team’s only other internal options at tackle.
Photo credit: Getty Images
