Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Sunday that Suisham had sustained a “potentially significant” knee injury while trying to make a tackle.
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Suisham incurred the injury to his left knee during the Steelers’ 14-3 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Hall of Fame Game, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday that he will undergo surgery and likely be placed on injured reserve.
August 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham (6) kicks an point after during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. On average, opponents started with the ball on their own 23 yard line after Suisham kicks, which was good for top 15 in the league.
Pittsburgh’s next preseason game is this Friday against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the road. Hartley replaced him and made all three of his attempts to finish out the season, but the Browns still decided to go in a different direction this offseason. Suisham was attempting to make a tackle on the kickoff coverage and wound up being carted off the field. Currently, the Steelers have no other kickers on their roster.
This puts the team in a position to look for a replacement kicker two weeks into training camp. He threw accurately and decisively, although Tomlin gave him no ringing endorsements.
Jones, a fourth-round draft pick from Oklahoma in 2013, did not pull on a uniform in a regular-season or playoff game through his first two years. This is seen as an important camp for him, and he is taking advantage of it. Many of his former teammates returned for that ceremony, and the entire team greeted him Sunday night before the game in Canton, Ohio.
“It’s just lovely to be a part of it”, said Pro-Bowl linebacker Lawrence Timmons. “We all know what he did in his career and it’s an awesome thing”. Drafted in the third round last year, the little halfback/receiver did little as a rookie and ultimately was benched as a kickoff returner.
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Who could have known that something so insignificant would turn into something so devastating? For the preseason, it would not be a big deal to have a usual punter getting some reps as a kicker; however, the Steelers can be legitimate contenders in the AFC this upcoming season, so they would be better off signing a legitimate, veteran place kicker.
