Steelers lose Keisel for up to two months

By Neal Coolong  |   Tuesday, September 16, 2008  |  Comments( 2 )

Pittsburgh Steelers
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For the second time in two years, the Steelers will be without a starting defensive end. Last year, it was Aaron Smith who missed the team's last four games after going down with a torn biceps.

This year, DE Brett Keisel will be out for an extended period of time because of a calf injury he suffered in the first quarter in a 10-6 win at Cleveland on Sunday night. The Steelers have the NFL's third-stingiest run defense, giving up just 64 yards a game on the ground.

Commentary: This is a sizable blow to an outstanding defense, considering its biggest weakness going into the 2008 season was the depth on the line. Veteran Nick Eason played for Keisel on Sunday night, and he filled in for Smith last year when the team took a nosedive against the run.

More importantly, the Steelers use Keisel as a down lineman in their base 3-4 package, but he often stands up on passing downs and is used as a hybrid DE/linebacker, helping disguise other blitzers and dropping into coverage. His athleticism helps the team defend the pass, which is probably the biggest strength of its Week 3 opponent, Philadelphia. His absence will be noticeable in the inter-Pennsylvania battle this week at Lincoln Financial Field.

Keisel's injury leaves the Steelers with six defensive linemen: Smith, Eason, nose tackles Casey Hampton and Chris Hoke, and DEs Travis Kirschke and Orpheus Roye.

Fan Pulse: Steelers fans posting on Pittsburgh Live are discussing Keisel's injury and the role Eason will have to play in the upcoming weeks.

Fantasy Football Impact: The Steeler defense has five sacks and four interceptions in two wins so far this season. The disruption Keisel brings is a big part of that. The job of the Eagles' offense has just gotten easier.

Injury Watch: Outside of Keisel, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't admit to a rumored separated shoulder, but he looked like he was in pain Sunday night. He was still 11-for-19 passing, but Philadelphia's secondary is at least one step ahead of Cleveland's.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one...
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