Tomlin, Steelers Dealing with Linebackers Injuries as Sunday’s Game Approaches

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury-ridden linebacker corps is forcing Head Coach Mike Tomlin to be innovative.

Inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons has taken James Harrison’s outside linebackers spot over the past four weeks. Meanwhile, rookie Chris Carter and second-year man Stevenson Sylvester have been pressed into action.

Three starters are currently nursing injuries. James Harrison, who has been out the past four games with an orbital bone fracture, has been cleared to practice. However, the four-time pro bowler and 2008 AP Defensive Player of the Year posted on his twitter account Monday that he is unlikely to play in Sunday night’s matchup with the division rival Ravens.

As for his Lamar Woodley, who left Sunday’s 25-17 win over the New England Patriots with a hamstring injury in the third quarter, sounded a bit more optimistic about his chances for playing Sunday night.

“Everyone’s counting me out,” Woodley said. “Don’t count me out yet.”

Let’s not forget about the 36-year-old James Farrior, who missed Sunday’s game against New England with a calf injury. Farrior is said to be practicing on a limited basis this week in hopes of playing Sunday.

If Harrison, Woodley and Farrior can’t play Sunday night look for Carter, Sylvester and veteran Larry Foote to fill the voids.

The Steelers could use all the help they can get, considering what the Ravens did to them week one with a healthy squad, blowing them out 35-7. Pittsburgh comes into this one riding a four-game winning streak, while the Ravens look to win their second straight game overall and in the series.