Steelers injury list long after win

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PITTSBURGH -- Steelers safety Will Allen and running backs Mewelde Moore and Isaac Redman sustained concussions during Monday night's game in Cincinnati and must pass post-concussion tests before being cleared to play.

The tests measure a player's cognitive skills before and after a concussion. A player is allowed to return only after his tests return to normal and he shows no signs of having had a concussion.

If either Moore or Redman can't play, rookie Jonathan Dwyer might be needed Sunday night against New England (6-2), which won the last two times it played in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers (6-2) had numerous injuries during their 27-21 victory in Cincinnati, with left guard Chris Kemoeatu's sprained right knee apparently the most serious. He could be limited in practice.

"We'll see if we can get him going, get him enough snaps in preparation to be available to us," coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday.

Kemoeatu's injury, plus those to center Maurkice Pouncey (bruised right leg) and left tackle Max Starks (neck, shoulder), forced the Steelers to shuffle their offensive line from series to series against the Bengals.

Doug Legursky played guard and center before Pouncey returned. Starks left the game during the second half and didn't return. Jonathan Scott, normally a tackle, played that position and guard.

Starks' injury could sideline him the rest of the season, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Starks is scheduled to get a second opinion this week. Steelers safety Ryan Clark tweeted On Tuesday: "Prayers and thoughts with Max Starks. He's going to be missed. Injuries are a terrible part of this game."

Pouncey, the Steelers' first-round draft pick, had not missed a snap all season until he was hurt while apparently being kicked in the shin. Pouncey makes all the offensive line's blocking calls, so having him out of the game could have proven disruptive. He felt better after getting a painkiller and was able to resume playing.

"There was a time that we thought [tight end] Matt Spaeth was going to have to play right tackle for us," quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "Guys answered the bell."

Defensive end Brett Keisel (left hamstring) played limited snaps in his first game since Oct. 17, while tight end Heath Miller has fluid on a knee.

The Steelers don't have much time to get well; Tuesday was their only day off of the week, and they'll resume practicing Wednesday.

"We've got somewhat of a laundry list," Tomlin said. "Working off a short week, it's important that we prepare smart in regards to working around these injuries. I'm sure many of these guys will be available for the contest, but they have limited preparation. We have to prepare smart with these guys."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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