Last week, when the Steelers promoted offensive lineman John Malecki from the practice squad, it was a strong hint that center Maurkice Pouncey wouldn’t be playing on Sunday night in Cincinnati.
This week, with Pouncey listed as probable for Sunday’s visit from the Redskins, John Malecki will once again have something in common with Johnny Galecki: Neither will be on an NFL roster.
The Steelers have given Malecki’s spot to safety Damon Cromartie-Smith, who (if he’s active) will beef up a defensive backfield that could be relied upon to chase and catch quarterback Robert Griffin III, if he manages to scamper away from the front seven of the team’s vaunted 3-4 defense.
The same 3-4 defense that Redskins defensive coordinator Jim Haslett used to run in Pittsburgh -- and that he now runs in Washington.