Pittsburgh's imposing linebacker James Harrison is out indefinitely as he needs surgery on a fractured eye socket.
Harrison out and Big Ben worry for struggling Steelers
Problems are mounting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who could be without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday and will miss defensive star James Harrison for some time as he requires surgery on an eye injury.
While Roethlisberger is expected to suit-up against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Harrison will be out for some time with a fractured orbital bone and his return will not be known until after he has an operation on the injury.
"Needless to say he is going to be out for a number of weeks," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin told the team's website. "I will have more details after he has the surgical procedure tomorrow to get (the fracture) fixed."
The 33-year-old Harrison picked up the nasty injury during the Steelers' loss in Houston last week, when a pad dislodged from his helmet and hit his eye as he delivered one of his trademark big hits on a Texans player.
The 2008 Defensive Player of the Year has been a dominant force in the Pittsburgh defence having been a big part in them playing in three of the last six Super Bowls.
Struggles
Pittsburgh have been uncharacteristically slack on defence this year though in terms of rushing, as they are only ranked 22nd against the run.
Defeat on Sunday saw the defending AFC champions slip to a 2-2 start, but even their wins have been unconvincing and injuries are now starting to mount up.
Roethlisberger left Houston with a protective boot on his left foot, but the injury has been described as just a sprain with an MRI revealing no broken bones.
Back-up quarterback Charlie Batch has been taking some snaps in practice in case Roethlisberger has any setbacks, but he has played with a foot injury before and Tomlin says he should be ready to play.
Running back Rashard Mendenhall is another injury worry for the Steelers as he has a hamstring problem and will not practice all week, and with Mewelde Moore out Isaac Redman looks like getting the bulk of the backfield work.
Shuffle
With four-time Pro Bowler Harrison missing out, Tomlin will move Lawrence Timmons over from inside linebacker with veteran Larry Foote stepping in to Timmons' old spot.
Veteran defensive end Brett Keisel should play after missing two weeks with an ankle injury, but just having him back may not be enough to solve Pittsburgh's woes against the run, with Tomlin saying some players simply need to raise their games.
"We understand that we are capable of playing better. We expect to play better," Tomlin added. "We know where the solutions lie, of course -- within us and how we prepare and ultimately how we perform.
"We have capable men who play who need to do a better job. There's a fine line between performing well and substandard."
It's a bad time for the Steelers to have problems with Tennessee coming to town in great form at 3-1 and with veteran Matt Hasselbeck enjoying a new lease of life and with Chris Johnson possibly getting near his best rushing form just in time to give the Steelers a severe test.
