Steelers’ Golson plans for November return
PITTSBURGH – When Senquez Golson suffered a Lisfranc injury to his right foot three days into training camp, it threw a curve into the Steelers’ plans at nickel cornerback.
But Golson said Tuesday not to count him out this season. The second-year cornerback hopes to return to practice sooner rather than later.
“I’m definitely going to be back this year,” Golson said. “I’m thinking definitely sometime in November. By the end of November, I’ll be back full speed.”
Golson could be a candidate for injured reserve with a designation to return.
If he’s not ready until the end of November, that would leave just five or six games in the regular season.
The question the Steelers have to ask is can they wait that long.
According to the Times-Picayune of New Orleans, the Steelers were scheduled to bring cornerback Keenan Lewis for a visit Tuesday night. The meeting could have been a kick-the-tires situation with Lewis to check on his health. The 30-year-old began his career in Pittsburgh as a third-round draft pick in 2009 before leaving as a free agent in 2013.
He played well for New Orleans in 2014, but knee and hip injuries hobbled him the past two seasons, limiting him to just six games last year.
The Saints released him last week even though his $2.7-million base salary from a 5-year, $25.5-million deal he signed in 2013 is guaranteed and it will save them nothing against the salary cap.
The Steelers were counting on Golson, a 2015 second-round draft pick, to bolster their secondary depth. They feel good about starting cornerbacks William Gay and Ross Cockrell. With Golson out and Artie Burns, their top draft pick this year, missing practice the past two weeks, other cornerbacks got chances for more work.
Doran Grant, a fourth-round draft pick last year, worked at cornerback and safety in training camp and has made a number of plays in the preseason, returning an interception 39 yards for a touchdown, recovering a fumble and recording a team-best eight tackles.
He wants to force his way into the conversation in the secondary and receive more playing time after appearing in just three games as a rookie.
“I’d like to do that,” Grant said. “I just want to keep flying to the ball and being in good position.”
Right now, a good way to make this roster is to stay healthy.
That’s something Golson has been unable to do. He missed his rookie season with a shoulder injury suffered in mini-camp. Then, he lasted just two practices in training camp this year before the foot injury.
He had surgery three weeks ago and was told by team doctors it would be 10 weeks before he could begin working out.
“It was probably a couple of days (getting over the shock of being injured again),” Golson said. “I’m still all right for the most part; you have your days here and there. I’m just checking in every five weeks with the doctor and seeing where I’m going from there. “
James Harrison’s video conference meeting with the NFL over allegations about PED use made against him by Al-Jazeera America was moved to Thursday at 11 a.m. Harrison attempted to schedule the meeting for Aug, 30, but the NFL wanted to stick with an Aug. 25 deadline. … Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones said he expects to make his preseason debut when the Steelers travel to New Orleans for their third preseason game Friday. Jones missed the first two preseason games with a back injury. … Receiver Markus Wheaton (back) also expects to play for the first time this preseason.