Pittsburgh Steelers reserve running back DeAngelo Williams underwent knee surgery this week and will miss an undetermined amount of time, reports Mark Kaboly of DK on Pittsburgh Sports:
Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams underwent knee surgery on Wednesday, but did not have meniscus surgery. Unsure of the specific procedure.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 11, 2016
As Kaboly’s tweet confirms that the surgery did not involve the meniscus as some reports had indicated. NFL.com’s Ian Rapport has confirmed the surgery, indicating that Williams could miss up to three weeks. The report, however, did generate an interesting exchange between DeAngelo Williams based on a David Todd tweet, that questioned whether or not the Williams had played his last down for the Steelers:
Have to wonder if Deangelo Williams has played his last snap w #Steelers. @MarkKaboly reporting meniscus surgery Wed. Out indefinitely.
— David Todd (@DavidMTodd) November 10, 2016
https://twitter.com/DeAngeloRB/status/796863815870795776
I reported you had surgery, that's all. Nothing more. https://t.co/knZ3JCgmeU
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) November 11, 2016
While Williams has been nursing a knee injury for the last several weeks, he did make one carry in the loss to the Ravens after missing the loss to the Patriots. DeAngelo Williams’ reaction to the news is hardly surprising. The Steelers have not officially announced the move, and while “running back” and “knee surgery” are two terms which you prefer not to collocate, surgery doesn’t automatically mean the end of the season for Williams.
DeAngelo Williams knee surgery could keep him out 3 weeks. Photo credit: Steelers.com
Williams started off the year strong in the Steelers win over the Redskins, but struggled to gain yards against the Bengals and had a terrible game against the Eagles (like the rest of the team.) Williams saw his playing time decrease with Le’Veon Bell’s return, even though the stated plan was for the Steelers to use Williams more to keep him fresh.
DeAngelo Williams knee surgery will mean that Fitzgerald Toussaint will become the Steelers primary backup running back heading into the Cowboys game.
Green, Dupree Practice, DHB on Crutches, Pouency Promises to Play
Both Bud Durpree and Ladarius Green have been full participants at practice this week, and Ladarius Green is expected to be activated, possible in time for the Cowboys game this weekend at Heinz Field. Bud Dupree is also expected to return, but not as soon.
Darrius Heyward-Bey will not be resuming his role as Ben Roethlisberger‘s number 2 reciever opposite of Antonio Brown returning any time soon, as he was reported to be on crutches and in a walking boot at the Steelers facility on the South Side. Maurkice Pouncey has not practice, but has declared that he is 100% certain that he will play. Pouency dislocated the thumb on his snapping hand in the Steelers loss to the Ravens.
