Watch CBS News

Dunlap: Steelers Offense Will Keep Churning Without Pouncey

The Steelers' offense will be just fine.

At least that's the way I see it.

You see, there was nothing good, nothing all that encouraging about seeing all-everything center Maurkice Pouncey down on that Sunday sun-splashed Heinz Field grass and then off for a ride on a golf cart that he never wanted, yet knows all-too-well.

A broken fibula was the verdict and it is probably wishful thinking that Pouncey -- a magnet for bad luck akin to Beau Bennett -- will be back to full-strength at any point in the 2015 season.

But with that, don't we also have this: Isn't this Steelers offense, better than just about any we have ever known to wear the black and gold, insulated from letting one injury to someone not named Ben Roethlisberger kill them?

That is to say, if Big Ben was the one who went down, with it all hopes would be dashed. Anyone else, though, they still have a good shot.

Even as a standout like Pouncey will miss at least the heavy balance of the season, capable backup Cody Wallace, who has six career starts and is well-versed in the Steelers' system, simply slides in and takes up the responsibility. Wallace will stand arm-by-arm with Kelvin Beachum, Ramon Foster, David DeCastro and Marcus Gilbert to still give the Steelers a formidable front that few would elect to line up against.

Wallace is not close to being at Pouncey's level; but does he truly need to be with all that other talent on the offense? That seems the biggest question, and one I answer with a vivacious "no."

Again, the Steelers' offense --- barring any other long-term, major injury --- should be just fine.

Know why? This wasn't Ben getting hurt.

Anyone but Ben, and they would have been OK.

Anyone but Ben and they will still be OK.

Take even if dynamic playmaker Antonio Brown would have been the guy felled on Sunday against the Packers. Certainly we would have had a mini-panic and the never-ending news cycle would have whipped with stories about "Life Without A.B."

But in theory, there still would be Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton and Le'Veon Bell out of the backfield and Heath Miller from his position with his hand in the dirt and Sammie Coates, Darrius Heyward-Bey and Tyler Murphy all being able to catch passes.

I'll take that grouping if I'm the Steelers.

As long as --- knock on wood --- it isn't Ben who goes down.

And take for example on Sunday if it had been Bell. Aren't you OK with DeAngelo Williams being the feature back if need be, with a mixture of Josh Harris, Dri Archer and Will Johnson getting some touches on the ground?

I know I would still take my chances with this offense if that were the case.

With Maurkice Pouncey getting that golf cart ride on Sunday in the catacombs of Heinz Field, it forced me to really, really realize a few things: First, this offense has as much weaponry front-to-back as we have seen in generations (and maybe ever) in Steelers uniforms.

And second, and perhaps most important, as long as it isn't Ben getting hurt, they still stand a really good chance.

Colin Dunlap is a featured columnist at CBSPittsburgh.com. He can also be heard weekdays from 5:40 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sports Radio 93-7 "The Fan." You can e-mail him at colin.dunlap@cbsradio.com. Check out his bio here.

Like The Fan On Facebook
Follow The Fan On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.