Maurkice

Pouncey

As is his brother Mike. Maurkice spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. The Pounceys leave the league at 31 years old. Maurkice was drafted No. 18 overall by the Steelers in 2010, while Mike went 15th overall to the Dolphins in 2011 and played two seasons for the Chargers. Maurkice’s retirement saves the Steelers $8 million in cap space, and raises some questions about Ben Roethlisberger’s return, as Pouncey — a nine-time Pro Bowler — and Roethlisberger talked often about playing as long as other. A chronic hip injury ended Mike’s final NFL season in September, when the Chargers placed him on injured reserve following surgery. Mike was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.

The four-time Pro Bowler was placed on injured reserve last September following hip surgery. Pouncey, 31, retired Friday along with twin brother, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey. Mike Pouncey was selected by the Dolphins with the 15th overall NFL draft pick in 2011. He played seven seasons in Miami -- one as a right guard -- before finishing his career with the Chargers. Mike Pouncey was due to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Pouncey spent the last 10 days on the COVID list. He’ll return to the lineup after sitting out Week 13. Getting Pouncey back will improve a run game that had 21 yards on 14 carries last week. The Steelers will also have James Conner (COVID-19) back in Week 14.

He’s out for Wednesday afternoon’s clash with the Ravens. If he tested positive, Pouncey is also in danger of missing Week 13. He’s started every game at the pivot for the Steelers this season. JC Hassenauer will start today.

Tomlin added that he didn’t know if Pouncey’s injury is something that would affect him beyond Sunday. The Steelers could be without both James Conner (thigh) and Pouncey for Sunday’s must-win divisional bout against the Ravens. Backup C B.J. Finney obviously has his work cut out for him protecting Devlin Hodges against Baltimore’s swarming front-seven.

Pouncey has finished serving his two-game suspension. The Steelers released C Patrick Morris in a corresponding roster move.

Pouncey’s $35,096 fine was upheld. He will now miss this weekend’s game with the Bengals and next Sunday’s rematch with the Browns. Pouncey is probably fortunate to escape with only two games after he kicked Myles Garrett on the ground.

He’s been fined an “additional” amount. Pouncey was one of three players—the others being Myles Garrett (indefinite suspension) and Larry Ogunjobi (one game)—for Thursday night’s scrum in Cleveland. The scene was one of the ugliest we’ve seen on a football field in quite some time. Pouncey came to Mason Rudolph’s defense in the melee, throwing punches and even kicking Garrett after he attacked Rudolph with his helmet. B.J. Finney is expected to hold down the fort at center for Pittsburgh until Pouncey returns in Week 15.

Pouncey will make $11 million per season in 2020-21, which, as of now, would make him the highest-paid center in the league for those years. For 2019, the honor belongs to Tampa’s Ryan Jensen. Going on 30, Pouncey did not miss a game in 2018. He checked in as Pro Football Focus’ No. 11-rated center. He is an institution in Pittsburgh.

Colbert also downplayed the fact that Pouncey required surgery after suffering his second left high-ankle sprain in as many years. “High-ankle sprains, they’re a different injury and then when you re-injure it sometimes you’ve got to do some procedures to shore that joint up.” Pouncey’s status for OTAs remains uncertain, but he’s expected to be 100 percent well before the start of training camp.