Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Pouncey plans to play despite high ankle sprain

Maurkice Pouncey

Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is helped off the field during the first half of the AFC Championship NFL football game against the New York Jets in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

AP

The early news on Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey’s ankle injury could be worse.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Pouncey has a high ankle sprain and the rookie believes he’ll start in the Super Bowl.

“Most definitely,” Pouncey said when asked if he’ll face the Packers. “I had this same injury before on my other ankle and I know how to attack it. I know how to approach things. I know in my heart I’m playing in that game.”

Pouncey will hear more from trainers and doctors Monday, so it’s possible the diagnosis could get worse.

“I think to say anything at this point would be premature,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.

Considering how painful Pouncey’s injury looked at the time, the Steelers have to be pleased they will even have a chance to get their Pro Bowl center back in the lineup.