Marcus Gilbert called himself day-to-day with a hyperextended elbow he suffered against the Saints, but he also made it clear. He will be ready to go when the Steelers open the regular season against the Washington Redskins on Sept. 12 on Monday Night Football.
"I'll be there no matter what," said Gilbert. "Wrap my arm up. It doesn't matter. There is no way am I missing the first game."
Gilbert spoke after practice on Sunday at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, and said he is still seeking a second opinion on it, but it's making progress.
One thing Gilbert has working in his advantage is time. The Steelers close out the preseason on Thursday night in Carolina, and then have a long week with the team playing on Monday Night Football against the Redskins.
"It helps," said Gilbert. "When you are playing a lot of ball this preseason, more reps than usual, and the way we practice, we practice hard. With injuries like this I get a chance to heal, rehab and do what I need to get back on the field. I am going to take it slow, rehab the heck out of it, and it will be good for the first game of the season.
"It's football. Injuries happen. You can't control certain things. My job to do now is get healthy and get back on the field and get myself ready for Monday Night Football."
