Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt is not expected to return this season, even if the team makes the playoffs, according to a report on Sunday by Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Tuitt suffered a knee injury while rehabbing during training camp. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has remained hopeful that the starting defensive end would be able to return this season, but with just two games left after Sunday, that appears not to be the case.
Tuitt missed most of the team’s offseason program while dealing with the tragic death of his younger brother, who was killed in a hit-and-run vehicle-pedestrian accident in Georgia.
He returned to Pittsburgh and began a conditioning program during training camp. It was in that time period that he was reported to have suffered the knee injury that has kept him out this season.
The Steelers have also been playing without starting nose tackle Tyson Alualu, who was injured in the first game of the season and has yet to return. Veteran Chris Wormley and Montravius Adams Sr., who was signed from the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad mid-season, have assumed starting roles.