LaMarr Woodley and David DeCastro will start for the Steelers when they face the Miami Dolphins at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Heinz Field. That's according to Woodley and DeCastro, anyway.
The Steelers seem poised to get Woodley, their starting left outside linebacker, back from a calf injury that had kept him sidelined for the previous three games, and it also looks as though the team's offensive line will have two new starters against the Dolphins instead of three.
"I'll be starting," Woodley said after practice today.
"Yeah, I'm going to go," on Sunday, DeCastro said. "I'll be good."
It was already known the Steelers would have a new starter at center, what with Fernando Velasco going on injured reserve earlier this week with a torn Achilles. Velasco will be replaced by Cody Wallace.
Left tackle Kelvin Beachum sprained a knee, and DeCastro sprained a foot in that same game against the Ravens. Beachum did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was limited on Friday. He has been listed as doubtful for the game against the Dolphins.
DeCastro (foot) progressed from did not participate to limited to full participation over the last three days, and he was listed as probable for Sunday.
That appears to indicate that Wallace at center and Mike Adams at left tackle will be the new guys on a Steelers offensive line that will be going through its sixth different combination to open a regular season game in 2013.
Adams has started at left tackle previously, opening the first four games there before the Steelers made the switch to Beachum for their game on Oct. 13 against the Jets.
"If that's the case I just want to go out and help my team," Adams said.
Having starters DeCastro and fellow guard Ramon Foster on either side of Wallace could ease the transition from Velasco to Wallace at center.
"Me and Ramon both know what's going on," DeCastro said. "I think Cody knows what's going on, too. I don't think it's going to be a problem."
Woodley might be on a snap count against Miami.
"It's just based on how I feel when I get out there," he said. "You don't want to fatigue it and re-injure it so we're going to be smart about it."
Adams has played extensively as an extra tight end and made three starts in that capacity since being replaced at left tackle.
"I've had a lot of time to work on the small things, technique stuff and things like that," he said. "Looking forward to getting a chance to go out and help the guys."
FRIDAY'S STATUS REPORT
Out: Brett Keisel (foot)
Doubtful: Kelvin Beachum (knee)
Questionable: Steve McLendon (ankle)
Probable: David DeCastro (foot), LaMarr Woodley (calf), Le'Veon Ball (concussion), Mike Adams (ankle)
