The Steelers almost certainly won't have Defensive End Stephon Tuitt when they open the season in Buffalo on September 12 in Buffalo; in fact, the big question is how many games will Tuitt miss.
Defensive Coordinator Keith Butler confirmed that Tuitt's knee is an issue and when you couple that with Tuitt still trying to cope with the tragic death of his brother in a hit-and-run accident – which his mother witnessed - there is no telling when Tuitt will be back on the field.
"His knee's bothering him right now, as far as I know" according to Butler, "I don't know everything about his knee but it's slowing him down right now.
"To tell you the truth," Butler continued, "I don't know how I'd handle my mom watching her son die. That would be – I don't know if I could handle that. So I'm not sure what to tell you other than his knee is bothering him a little bit and he might be a little overweight and what he's doing with his mother.
"We hope to get him back and I think we will get him back but I don't when I can tell you he is coming back."
The Steelers, who have 8 defensive linemen (including Tuitt) on their initial roster, could choose to place Tuitt on Injured Reserve/Designated to Return which would keep him out for at least 3 games or on the PUP list which would require Tuitt to miss at least the first 6 contests.
Teammates and coaches have said that Tuitt has been in meetings all along but he has not practiced nor has he been working on the side during practices like TJ Watt has.
Speaking of Watt, Butler was asked if he expected Watt at practice next week and he just smiled, "That's a good question," he chuckled, "don't know, that's all I'll say about it. Last time when I opened my mouth too much so I'm going to keep it quiet this time."
Butler had admitted a few weeks ago that Watt not practicing was, in fact, related to his lack of a new contract. Those negotiations continue.
