Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will not play in Super Bowl XLV against the Green Bay Packers. Defensive end Aaron Smith has also been ruled out.
Pouncey, who suffered a severe ankle injury in the AFC Championship game victory over the New York Jets, had hoped to practice today for the first time since the injury. Peter King, serving as pool reporter for the Professional Football Writers of America, said that Pouncey did not make an appearance on the field during practice.
Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin told King that Pouncey’s absence will not force the Steelers to change their game plan.
“Obviously he’s a quality player, and how it affects the game, no one knows,” Tomlin said. “But as far as what we do, we have a plan, and that won’t change.’”
Without Pouncey, undrafted center Doug Legursky from Marshall will make his first NFL start at center in the Super Bowl. Legursky filled in for Pouncey during the AFC Championship Game.
Legursky and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger did mishandle an exchange that caused a safety during the Steelers’ victory over the Jets. We will have to see how Pouncey’s absence impacts Sunday’s game.