Seldom to fans get treated to a Monday Night Football game this late in the season that will feature two of the better teams in the league, but that will all change this week. The San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers will meet up in primetime in what could be a potential preview of the Super Bowl.
Unfortunately for the fans, Pittsburgh is banged up pretty badly and could have a few of their star players miss the game. The 49ers are as healthy as they have been all season, although they may have lost starting tackle Joe Staley to a concussion. Here is the full injury report from Thursday:
49ers:
Did Not Participate in Practice: OT Joe Staley (concussion), LB Patrick Willis (hamstring)
Limited Participation: WR Braylon Edwards (knee), RB Bruce Miller (knee)
Steelers:
Did Not Participate in Practice: LB Chris Carter (hamstring), T Marcus Gilbert (illness), S Troy Polamalu (hamstring), C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), QB Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), WR Emmanuel Sanders (foot)
Limited Participation: WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring), CB Curtis Brown (knee)
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The potential loss of Staley could be huge for the 49ers, especially with the game expected to be a slugfest throughout. Willis continues to miss time and may not return this season. For the Steelers, the obvious concern has to be with Roethlisberger; the star quarterback sprained his ankle badly last Thursday night and was essentially immobile once he returned to the game. With San Francisco's relentless pass rush, it could be a long night for Big Ben.
For more on the team, head on over to Niners Nation.