Maurkice Pouncey will not play in Steelers regular-season finale vs. Ravens

It’s probably fitting that in this injury-riddled Pittsburgh Steelers season that they’ll be without at least one more Pro Bowler for their regular-season finale.

Center Maurkice Pouncey will not play against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in a game that earning a win would significantly aid the Steelers’ playoff hopes. Pouncey suffered a knee injury during last Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets.

The Steelers also could be without 2018 Pro Bowl running back James Conner, whose availability for Sunday coach Mike Tomlin termed “very much in question” during his Tuesday news conference.

About two hours before Tomlin’s Christmas Eve meeting with the media at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, the Steelers announced that quarterback Mason Rudolph was placed on injured reserve. Tomlin said Rudolph will not need surgery on his left shoulder after injuring it in the game at the Jets.

Tomlin said he did not have any additional information about the extent of Pouncey’s injury. He remains on the active roster, so if it is not serious he could potentially play in postseason games should the Steelers make the playoffs.

Here is more of what Tomlin had to say.

Tomlin said Mason Rudolph is NOT getting surgery.

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Reporter: "Are Duck's INTs the result of bad throws or mental errors?"

Tomlin: "Does it matter?" (laughs) "Seriously, we've got to take care of the football. You can make a bad decision and make an awesome throw. It doesn't matter."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin on why the running game has struggled: "Because we've got young QBs and young wideouts and people pack the box - and we could perform better."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin on putting the Titans game on the scoreboard: "I'm not into all of that. If they wanna display it in Baltimore, they will. If they don't, they don't."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin on QB Paxton Lynch, who's now a snap away from playing for him: "He's got a lot of pedigree... As far as our intimate knowledge and comfort with it, there's not a lot there because of when we acquired him (Sept)."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin: "We're not worried about the myriad of (playoffs) scenarios that are capable of being discussed this week. We made the bed; we're willing to lay in it... The only thing we can do this week is prepare to beat Baltimore, so that is our agenda, that is our focus."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Mike Tomlin mentions former Steelers LB L.J. Fort, now with the Ravens.
"He's a veteran player who knows how to play. He's been... an asset to them."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin says the Ravens passing game is based off play-action and moving the pocket. And how they go downfield so well.
"Their utilization of people in that stage is awesome."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Mike Tomlin "I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Trace McSorley."
Is very complimentary of the former Penn State QB.
"We are very familiar with him."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

First thing Tomlin says about the Ravens is that they have the No. 1 rushing defense in the NFL. "And that has to do with a lot more than Lamar Jackson."

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Tomlin on injuries, will be "out or dealing with something":
MRudolph OUT
MPouncey OUT
JConner questionable

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

Mike Tomlin acknowledges that "it's very specific in the state that we are in" the only way the Steelers "can engineer victory."#Obviously, that did not happen Sunday in the Meadowlands.

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019

“Good afternoon” pic.twitter.com/Qc49pGwucm

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) December 24, 2019