The Oakland Raiders are reportedly placing defensive end Justin Tuck on season-ending injured reserve, according to Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area. While Tuck is done for the season, Pittsburgh Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will need a second surgery on his injured ankle following complications, according to NFL reporter Dan Hanzus.
Tuck suffered his injury while trying to tackle Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson in a loss Sunday. The Raiders are 2-3 and have a bye this weekend. After the bye week, Oakland faces NFC West rival the San Diego Chargers, and they will need to have their defensive line solidified before then.
Rookie defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. has stepped up the past couple weeks, and in the last two games for the Raiders, he has recorded eight combined tackles and a forced fumble. The second round draft pick is due for a bigger role, and that was likely coming even without Tuck's injury.
The Steelers are just coming off a game-winning touchdown against the San Diego Chargers Monday night, but Pittsburgh is not having a great week, as Pouncey will likely miss more time after the second surgery.
Pouncey suffered a broken bone in his ankle during a preseason game and was placed on injured reserve/designated to return. The earliest Pouncey could come back in week nine against the Oakland Raiders. The Steelers have a tough test this weekend, as it is a Super Bowl rematch against the 4-1 Arizona Cardinals.
