Pittsburgh Steelers

Clock ticking for Steelers' Pouncey to return this season

Published Nov. 25, 2015 12:11 a.m. ET

foxsports

The 11th hour for injured Steelers All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey to return to practice hasn't hit yet, but it may be approaching.

Pouncey has been on the short-term injured reserve list since breaking his leg in a preseason game against Green Bay. He's been eligible to practice since after Week 6, but was spotted in a walking boot as recently as Nov. 17 in a photo posted on social media by right tackle Marcus Gilbert. The boot is now off, according to Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter.

Speculation swirled last month that Pouncey required a second surgery due to an infection that developed in the leg, which would put his season in jeopardy. Head coach Mike Tomlin has refused to comment on Pouncey's status all season, but did say that he has a deadline in mind that Pouncey must meet in order to return.

“We haven’t approached the 11th hour yet," Tomlin said. "We haven’t spent a lot of time worrying about it.”

If Pouncey does practice this season, he'll have a 21-day window to be activated to the 53-man roster. In the meantime, Cody Wallace will continue starting in Pouncey's absence.