Casey

Hampton

The Steelers will confirm the news today. Hampton is one of the better nose tackles in the NFL and a key to the Steelers rush defense.

He’ll be place on injured reserve during Pittsburgh’s bye week. Because of Hampton’s role in Pittsburgh’s 3-4 defense, he’s awfully tough to replace.

There was no way the Steelers could pay Hampton $4.89 million and have him count $8.1 million against the 2012 cap. He’ll be 35 in September and is coming off ACL surgery. Hampton has agreed to reduce his base salary to $2.8 million and eliminate his workout bonus, reducing his cap hit by $3.09 million.

Hampton tore his left ACL the playoff loss in Denver and his status for the 2012 season is unknown. Steelers coaches compare the two players, but Ta’amu is actually bigger and wider. Steve McLendon will also be in the mix for reps.

Hampton is due a $4.89 million base salary and counts $8.1 million against the salary cap, but the Steelers firmly believe nose tackles recover better from ACL surgeries than skill-position players. That’s undoubtedly true, but Hampton is no lock to turn in a 16-game season after tearing the ligament in early January. He’s a candidate to open the year on PUP.

Tomlin said Scott McLendon and Ziggy Hood will both be considered as fill-ins if Hampton isn’t ready for Week 1. McLendon is the favorite after holding his own in the role down the stretch last season.

If the ACLs are torn -- and that’s what we would expect -- both players will need reconstructive surgery and may have to open next year on the PUP list. Starks is an impending free agent. Hampton, who turns 35 before next season, is owed a $4.89 million salary in the final year of his contract. The injuries create large need areas on both lines entering the offseason.

Keisel quickly shed his helmet and donned sweatpants on the sideline, suggesting he’s not coming back in. Hampton’s helmet is off and he’s a now spectator. The Steelers are rolling with Steve McLendon on the nose and youngsters Ziggy Hood and Cameron Heyward on the defensive ends.

Whether or not Hampton takes a pay cut to return, the Steelers are in need of a nose tackle with Chris Hoke hanging up the spikes. The team has had internal discussions about moving disappointing LE Ziggy Hood to the nose this offseason. The good news is undersized Steve McLendon played well as a fill-in down the stretch.

Hampton initially hoped to heal the ACL with “rest and rehab,” but doctors apparently informed him a reconstruction was required. It’s the third ACL surgery of Hampton’s 11-year career, and will almost certainly cost him several games to open the 2012 season. The operation also makes it more likely that Hampton will be released. The 34-year-old’s cap number is $8.1 million.