Chilling news: Steelers G Simmons out with frostbite

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How bad are things going for the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers right now?

	Simmons

Well, in a classic you-won't-believe-this-one moment, the Steelers have lost a starter for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs because the guy actually got too much treatment in trying to come back from an injury.

Right guard Kendall Simmons will sit out the game because of an ice burn on his left foot.

It seems that Simmons, who has not practiced this week, fell asleep with a cooling device on his foot as he attempted to treat a heel injury. The result: Even though winter hasn't arrived yet in Pittsburgh, the fifth-year veteran suffered the equivalent of frostbite. How long the injury will sideline Simmons, whose heel was left raw by the incident, has not yet been determined.

"It's disappointing anytime [an injury] is something that simple," a sheepish Simmons told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "It's more of a freak accident."

Actually, it's more of a freezer accident, but the results remain the same for Simmons, the team's first-round choice in the 2002 draft and a veteran of 46 starts.

Second-round veteran Chris Kemoeatu, a sixth-round choice in the 2005 draft, will replace Simmons in the starting lineup. It not only will be the first start for the former Utah standout, it'll be his first appearance in a regular-season game. Kemoeatu dressed for only one game in 2005 and has yet to play this season.

Pittsburgh had started the same five offensive linemen in all four games this year.

The loss of Simmons further exacerbates Pittsburgh's desperate situation. At 1-3, the Steelers need to get on a roll if they are to fight their way back into playoff contention. Beyond Simmons, the Steelers will be without star linebacker Joey Porter and possibly cornerback Deshea Townsend. Both players suffered hamstring injuries in practice early this week.

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