The Steelers may have won their Monday night clash with the Ravens, but the losses they suffered could cost them later this season. With Willie Parker already sidelined with a sprained knee, Rashard Mendenhall went down with a fractured shoulder and will miss the remainder of the season. Additionally, right guard Kendall Simmons is also done for the year after tearing his Achilles’ tendon. These are huge losses, especially Simmons, who is arguably the team’s best O-Lineman (although I’m not a fan). However, I don’t think the line play could get any worse than it was last week. I’m just not sure how much the line can improve without Simmons in there. I expect Willie Colon to shift inside to guard, while Max Starks, the highest paid backup in the league, will start at right tackle. While Mendenhall’s injury certainly is disappointing, hopefully he can still learn some things by watching “Fast Willie” and Mewelde Moore the rest of this season. Look for Gary Russel to get a lot of carries next week in Jacksonville with Parker still out and Carey Davis coming off an ankle sprain (also suffered in tonight’s victory). Once Parker and DT Casey Hampton get healthy, the Steelers will be ready to go for the remainder of the season.
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