Recapping the Steelers' 38-7 victory over the Bills
The Pittsburgh Steelers blew out the Buffalo Bills with a 38-7 victory tonight, but the feeling in Pittsburgh right now is far from euphoric. Rookie first round guard David DeCastro suffered what head coach Mike Tomlin described as a “potentially severe” right knee injury in the early goings of the first quarter.
While the specific injury is not yet known, it is being reported that he injured his ACL and MCL. An MRI is scheduled to get a better idea of what kind of damage he sustained. He reportedly left the stadium on crutches with a very large brace on his knee after being carted off the field and is likely out for the season.
Just one play earlier, running back Isaac Redman, who was held out last game with a hip injury, went down and left the game. It appeared that he was being checked out for some type of neck injury; however, he re-entered the game on the team’s next offensive possession and played well. In addition, starting right defensive end Brett Keisel suffered a “mild” high ankle sprain. He was not given a walking boot.
The preseason game itself, in light of the injury news, seems rather secondary, but there was a game played. The Steelers started off with the ball, and after wide receiver Antonio Brown dropped a pass on the first play, putting the Steelers behind the chains, they failed to recover, limited to a three and out after pressure forced a Ben Roethlisberger sack.
The starting defense forced a three and out of their own, with defensive end Ziggy Hood and linebacker Lawrence Timmons getting great pressure on third down. Linebacker Larry Foote tipped the pass, which was nearly recovered by LaMarr Woodley.
The next drive began in the shadow of their own endzone, and they failed to move the ball. It was on this third down that DeCastro was injured, apparently having a body fall on his back leg.
After a good punt return set the Bills up near midfield, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick took advantage of safety Troy Polamalu, who was beaten on downfield coverage to set up a first and goal. Fitzpatrick targeted him again on the next play, but the pass fell incomplete. Running back Fred Jackson scored on the next play to take the 7-0 lead, but that would be it for the Bills on the night.
Isaac Redman had a couple of good runs on the ensuing drive, but after a holding penalty on center Maurkice Pouncey set the Steelers up well behind the chains, and Brown failed to haul in yet another catchable pass, Roethlisberger was forced to settle for an underneath throw for a gain well short of the first.
Ziggy Hood showed well on the next drive on a tackle and, later, batting down another pass after getting pressure on the quarterback. Cornerback Curtis Brown was in a on a pass breakup on the ensuing third down.
