Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel will miss ‘some time’
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (99) looks at the scoreboard during the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive end Brett Keisel came into the Thanksgiving tilt against the Baltimore Ravens with plantar fasciitis, as he missed the previous two games with the injury. Keisel was able to make his return against the Ravens, but the return didn’t last long as Keisel was bounced out of the game with a foot injury. It is unclear how closely related the new injury is to the previous one, but it’s definitely not a good thing either way.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Keisel will “miss some time” with this latest foot injury, and it’s a tough blow to the Steelers defense. Now, it’s all about the “next man up”, especially since the Steelers have to win out if they want to have a hope at making the playoffs this season. Keisel is no longer a great player in this league, but he’s still solid and losing him would definitely hurt the Steelers defense overall.
Hopefully Keisel can return sooner rather than later, but this sounds like a multi-week injury the way Rapoport described it. Details are scarce at this point in time, but I could easily envision a scenario in which Keisel is out until the Week 16 game against the Green Bay Packers (another team that needs to win out if they want a chance at making it into the postseason),
Keisel has been responsible for 25 tackles and two sacks this season, and he continues to be stout in run defense.