The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers released their final injury report in preparation for Super Bowl XLV on Sunday and for Steelers fans the news wasn't good, albeit not unexpected. Rookie center Maurkice Pouncey was officially ruled out of the game with the ankle injury he suffered early in the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets. Puncey had said yesterday he was "75%", but he couldn't practice at all this week making it impossible for the Steelers to play him.
The Steelers will also be without defensive end Aaron Smith who has missed most of the season with a triceps injury. The Steelers had avoided putting Smith on Injured Reserve in hopes he would be ready some time during the playoffs, but Smith's arm just wouldn't respond.
For the Packers the news is much better as everyone appears healthy and ready to go.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Status Report
OUT
C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), DE Aaron Smith (triceps)
Practice Report
DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle)
Thursday
C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle)
Friday
C Maurkice Pouncey (ankle)
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
DE Aaron Smith (triceps)
Thursday
DE Aaron Smith (triceps)
Friday
DE Aaron Smith (triceps)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Status Report
QUESTIONABLE
LB Erik Walden (ankle)
PROBABLE
T Chad Clifton (knees), WR Donald Driver (quadricep), C Jason Spitz (calf), LB Frank Zombo (knee)
Practice Report
LIMITED PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
T Chad Clifton (knees), C Jason Spitz (calf), LB Erik Walden (ankle)
Thursday
T Chad Clifton (knees), WR Donald Driver (quadricep), C Jason Spitz (calf), LB Erik Walden (ankle)
Friday
WR Donald Driver (quadricep), LB Erik Walden (ankle)
FULL PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE
Wednesday
LB Frank Zombo (knee)
Thursday
LB Frank Zombo (knee)
Friday
T Chad Clifton (knees), C Jason Spitz (calf), LB Frank Zombo (knee)