By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
The Steelers will be without defensive end Brett Keisel when they head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Sunday.
Keisel suffered a calf strain against the Browns and is officially out this week and his status right now is week-to-week.
Head coach Mike Tomlin did not indicate who would start in place of Keisel, but it won't be just one player who will be asked to contribute. Travis Kirschke and Nick Eason will both see extensive playing time, as well as Orpheus Roye.
"We followed the rotation principle at the defensive line," said Tomlin. "We have suited six guys and played six. Now is an opportunity for Orpheus Roye to step up into the rotation. It won't be one guy; it will be a collection of guys that get an opportunity to play in his spot. As always our standard of expectation won't change. We expect those guys to play and play at a high level."
In other injury news Ben Roethlisberger is still feeling the effects of a sore shoulder suffered when he was hit against the Texans in week one.
"Hopefully he will progress like he did last week," said Tomlin. "I met with him and he said he feels better this week than he did a week ago, which is good."
Roethlisberger's injury is classified as an AC sprain and not a separated shoulder as reported during game coverage.
"I have no idea where that report came from," said Tomlin when asked about the report. "It didn't come from me and my medical staff. The guy has a sore shoulder."
Roethlisberger will be limited in practice during the early part of the week but that isn't something that bothers Tomlin.
"Some guys require a great number of snaps to be prepared to play, some guys can learn visually in the film room and some need physical reps," said Tomlin. "Thankfully with Ben he is a quick study and sharp guy. He can learn in a variety of ways, film study, visual reps and so forth. It doesn't take him a great deal of reps to be ready to play, at least in my experience.
"I thought he played pretty well the other night. Hopefully it won't be an issue if he is limited this week. I know it won't be an excuse."
In other injury news rookie linebacker Donovan Woods will not play against the Eagles because of a hamstring injury. Cornerback Deshea Townsend is day-to-day with a heel contusion, but Tomlin is hopeful that he will practice on Wednesday after missing Sunday's game in Cleveland.
Safety William Gay (ankle sprain), wide receiver Santonio Holmes (knee bruise) and Kirschke (back) will also be limited in practice during the early part of the week.
"All of those guys are not in question for the game, just limited for the first part of the week," said Tomlin. "All in all, considering how physical that game was, not a bad laundry list of injuries."
