By Mark Kaboly

Published: Saturday, December 15, 2012, 10:50 p.m.
Updated: Saturday, December 22, 2012

STEELERS OLB LAMARR WOODLEY vs. COWBOYS RT DOUG FREE

MATCHUP: Steelers outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley returns to the lineup after missing the better part of the past three games with an ankle injury. With the Steelers' secondary banged up, they will look to pressure Dallas quarterback Tony Romo, and nobody has allowed more pressures in the league than Doug Free with 42.

WOODLEY: He has struggled to stay healthy as much as he has struggled to pressure the quarterback. Woodley has played in only 43 percent of the defensive snaps this season because of hamstring and ankle issues. Woodley has just four sacks and 14 quarterback hurries/pressures. He needs two sacks to pass Greg Lloyd for the fifth most in team history. Woodley is on pace for his lowest sack total since becoming a full-time starter in 2008.

FREE: The Cowboys gave Free left tackle money last year only to move him to right tackle this season. He has struggled so badly that he gave way to Jeremy Parnell for a couple of series against the Bengals last week. They were the first snaps Free has missed; he had played all 873 offensive snaps until last week. Free has allowed six sacks and has been called for an NFL-leading 15 penalties (13 accepted).

1. Steelers might be forced to rely on rookies in 2013
2. Ex-Steelers QB Batch learns new form of 2-minute drill
3. Steelers ink fourth-round pick Thomas to 4-year deal
4. Receiver Wheaton could make biggest splash among Steelers’ rookies
5. Steelers’ Allen prepares for strong challenge

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.