Green questionable to play for Steelers
PITTSBURGH – The Steelers have been excited about being close to full strength when they host the Miami Dolphins Sunday in an AFC Wild Card playoff game at Heinz Field.
But they got some bad news Friday when tight end Ladarius Green was unable to practice as he continues to try to come back from a concussion suffered Dec. 18 in a win at Cincinnati.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had been cautiously optimistic regarding Green’s status. The tight end had completed full practice sessions Wednesday and Thursday as Pittsburgh (11-5) made its preparations to host Miami (10-6).
But Friday, Green was held out of practice and the Steelers list him as questionable to play against the Dolphins.
“We didn’t get the type of results we wanted,” Tomlin told reporters Friday. “He remains in the (concussion) protocol.”
Green was the Steelers’ biggest free agent acquisition in the offseason, signing a 4-year, $20-million contract to leave San Diego for Pittsburgh. But he opened the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list after offseason ankle surgery and was not activated until the Nov. 13 game against Dallas. He played sparingly in the following weeks but came up big for the Steelers down the stretch, catching 15 passes for 274 yards and a touchdown in his final four games.
For the season, Green has 18 receptions for 304 yards and one touchdown.
The Dolphins won’t exactly be unhappy if Green is unable to play.
“He’s a tough guy to deal with,” said Miami head coach Adam Gase. “We’ll kind of see what happens on game day to find out really what’s going on there. If he’s on the field, he’s a guy that we have to account for – one of many.”
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was looking forward to having Green in the lineup against the Dolphins, who allowed 10 touchdown passes to opposing tight ends.
“Hopeful and excited that he’ll be able to be out there,” Roethlisberger said. “Only he knows his body. So we’ll just keep plugging forward and hoping that he’ll be out there with us.”
The Steelers will get defensive end Stephon Tuitt back for this game after he sat out the past two weeks with a knee injury. Tuitt practiced fully all week and is probable to play against the Dolphins.
Fellow defensive end Ricardo Mathews, however, is out. Mathews played through an ankle injury the past two weeks with Tuitt out, but left last week’s 27-24 win over Cleveland in the first half and did not return.
First-year defensive end L.T. Walton will likely start in place of Mathews.
Miami has ruled out starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill, meaning backup Matt Moore will make his first career playoff start.
Cornerback Byron Maxwell, who has not played in the past two games for Miami after suffering an ankle injury, did not practice this week, though the Dolphins still list him as doubtful to play. If he sits out, rookie Xavien Howard, who started six games, will likely play opposite second-year player Tony Lippett.
Starting safety Bacarri Rambo is questionable with a chest injury after being limited in practice Thursday and Friday. Linebacker Jelani Jenkins also is questionable. He has a knee injury.