Steelers’ Harrison may miss season opener

(Image courtesy of Peter Diana/Post-Gazette)

On Wednesday, Pittsburgh Steelers‘ star outside linebacker James Harrison underwent arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left knee.  Though the operation went well, it is uncertain whether or not Harrison will be recovered in time for the team’s season opener on September 9th in Denver.

The game will be a rematch of sorts after the Broncos upset the Steelers 29-23 in a dramatic overtime Wild Card Playoff victory earlier in the year.  In their previous meeting, Harrison (6-0, 242 lbs.) recorded two tackles.

Steelers’ Coach Mike Tomlin called the procedure “minor,” but would not give a timetable for the player’s return.

“It shouldn’t be long,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see when we get him back out here and start the process of working him back.”

Harrison sat out of Pittsburgh’s preseason opener against Philadelphia and has been on the team’s physically unable to perform list for the past two weeks while dealing with an inflamed knee.  Including the playoffs, the Steelers own a 1-2 record against the Broncos in games Harrison has started.

With just three weeks to recover from his surgery, Harrison seems unlikely at this point to play against Denver.  If he does suit up, it would be hard to imagine him being 100% healthy.  And that would be a blessing to the Broncos’ offensive debut.