Pittsburgh Steelers Brett Keisel ‘questionable’ this week
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 team’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Baltimore Ravens with plantar fasciitis, and he exited the game with an aggravated injury. Plantar fasciitis is a painful injury, and the aggravation caused Keisel to miss last week’s game against the Miami Dolphins, and his status for this week’s rivalry game against the Cincinnati Bengals is up-in-the-air. It’s good to hear, however, that he has a shot at playing, because this injury could have even caused the veteran DE to miss the remainder of the season.
According to ESPN NFL Nation’s Scott Brown, Keisel was able to get some work in yesterday, but Brown adds that Keisel is “still questionable” for this week’s game against the Bengals. I think we’ll see him end up as a game-time decision, so consider his status totally up-in-the-air.
The 35-year-old BYU product stated in the offseason that this would be his last season in the league, but I can’t see a player as tough as Keisel and who had as good of a career as Keisel calling it quits due to an injury. I’m sure he wants to go out on his terms, which makes this injury situation all the more interesting to watch.
It’s clear that the Steelers defense is better off with Keisel in the lineup, particularly against the run. Consider him a toss-up this week, and it’s worth watching his practice status closely.