The Steelers received some good news Wednesday when left guard Ramon Foster went through a full practice after missing the Chiefs game with a chest injury. The bad news for the Steelers is they'll be starting their third different combination along the offensive line Sunday against the Jets because it looks like right tackle Marcus Gilbert won't play because of an ankle injury.
Ben Roethlisberger has been there and done that with depleted offensive lines. In 2010, the Steelers played six different starting-five combinations. In 2011, it was nine different combinations. In 2012, it was seven.
The Steelers overcame the injuries in 2010 to win the AFC championship. In 2011, they were 12-4 during the regular season and made the playoffs.
"We have faith and trust and belief in whoever the next man up is," Roethlisberger said. "We've been able to do that and proven that over the years here. Guys prepare themselves to be ready to go. We'll have faith and trust in whoever needs to be out there. With that being said, we're not going to be ridiculous. If there are times when we have to help someone's way, we'll do it."
Offensive line coach Mike Munchak is preparing Chris Hubbard to make his first NFL start at right tackle. The Steelers signed veteran Ryan Harris in the spring to be the top backup tackle, but he injured a leg against the Chiefs and did not practice Wednesday. Last week, Munchak prepared B.J. Finney to make his first NFL start in place of Foster at left guard.
The Steelers didn't tailor their offensive playbook with Finney in the lineup last week, but that might change. Hubbard played tackle in college at UAB, but he's been mostly a guard and center since entering the NFL in 2013, first as a member of the practice squad and then as a member of the active roster the past two seasons.
"We've got some veteran guys and they probably have the best O-line coach in the world in Coach Munch," Roethlisberger said Wednesday morning. "They'll continue to get better and believe and trust in reach other. That's what's special about that room. No matter who it is, they're all so close and believe in each other. Obviously, we never want those guys up front to get hurt. They're the cogs in the wheel for us. Unfortunately, it's going to happen because of the sport we play, but we'll have other guys ready to step up."
The Steelers have a quiet confidence in Hubbard, who has played in only 12 NFL games.
"I would feel kind of crazy if it was a guy we brought off the streets, but this guy has been here for years," veteran center Maurkice Pouncey said. "He's been a part of it. He's seen a lot of action. He's played in a lot of preseason games. He's never been in a real live game at tackle, but we'll see how it turns out this week. I think he's ready for the challenge, and he'll take it and run with it."
Hubbard wasn't even active for the Eagles game and now he's preparing to start against what Foster called the best front four in the NFL.
"It's an AFC matchup, some big-time guys coming in," Hubbard said. "We have to get after it."
