The Pittsburgh Steelers lost their season-opener to the Tennessee Titans, 16-9, but more critical to their success, they lost starting center Maurkice Pouncey and linebacker Larry Foote, perhaps for the rest of the season.
Pouncey tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he will have surgery and miss the rest of the season.
Foote suffered a ruptured biceps. He, too, will have surgery and be lost for the season, the Post-Gazette reported.
Pouncey was injured when fellow offensive lineman David DeCastro dove into Pouncey’s right leg while blocking a defender.
Kelvin Beachum, who can back up each offensive line position, filled in for Pouncey.
When coach Mike Tomlin was asked whether Foote and Pouncey had suffered season-ending injuries, he said, according to ProFootballTalk.com, “I would assume so.”
Pouncey was a first-round pick in 2010 and has only missed three games in his career. He also has earned three Pro-Bowl honors.
—The Denver Broncos want to recoup $1.25 million of the signing bonus that suspended linebacker Von Miller received, according to ESPN.
Miller is under a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The Broncos will reportedly garnish Miller’s wages but his representatives do not believe the bonus money is included in the settlement with the league.
—Carolina Panthers defensive end Frank Alexander was ejected from Sunday’s 12-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks for throwing a punch that negated a quarterback sack.
Alexander took a wild swing at Seahawks right tackle Breno Giacomini after the play to erase a sack of Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
—After nearly one year on the sidelines recovering from a Lisfranc foot injury, New York Jets wide receiver Santonio Holmes was active and made one reception for 17 yards in an 18-17 victory over the Tamp Bay Buccaneers.
Holmes said last week that he still wasn’t able to plant and cut “like I want to” but deemed himself healthy enough to take the field along with rookie starting quarterback Geno Smith.
Also, the Jets denied reports that quarterback Mark Sanchez more seriously than the team has let on.
ESPN reported that Sanchez has a partially-torn labrum in his right shoulder. He was seen throwing left-handed while warming up before Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fox Sports reported that Sanchez has a dislocated shoulder.
However, CBS Sports reported that the Jets do not believe Sanchez’s injury is that serious. Sanchez is planning to seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews.
—Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel was inactive for Sunday’s 23-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints because of a quadriceps injury.
The Falcons gave up 341 yards in the air to Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.
—The NFL Players’ Association is investigating the MRSA infection that affected the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ facility last month to see if the team was negligent or performed a cover-up, ESPN reported.
The investigation could result in the players’ union filing an “Article 50” violation under the collective bargaining agreement. If the union finds evidence of any wrong-doing by the team, it could seek financial damages.
MRSA is a powerful bacteria that is resistant to penicillin-type treatment.
Also, Pro Bowl guard Carl Nicks missed Sunday’s 18-18 loss to the New York Jets because of an MRSA infection.
—Grammy-award winner Bruno Mars will perform at halftime of Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
Mars, the acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and musician who has been nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, has sold more than 115 million singles worldwide. His current album Unorthodox Jukebox and his debut album Doo-Wops & Hooligans have a combined certification total of 60-times platinum worldwide.