Maurkice Pouncey reveals he had seven procedures on leg last year
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5:44 PM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey is relieved to be done with a horrific 2015 season that saw the Pro Bowl center undergo six surgical procedures and a skin graft, he told ESPN.
Pouncey broke his left fibula in the preseason when Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix fell onto the back of his leg. Packers receiver Jordy Nelson also tore his anterior cruciate ligament in that game, which was played on Aug. 23 last year.
Pouncey then suffered a setback in October as the surgical wound didn't close properly, resulting in a staph infection.
"It was scary," Pouncey said. "I don't want that on my worst enemy."
Pouncey has recovered from the injury and fully participated in offseason workouts, even as the coaching staff has urged him to take days off.
Maurkice Pouncey is happy to be back on the practice field for the Steelers after a 2015 season that saw him undergo seven procedures after he broke his left fibula in the preseason. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
He's making up for lost time.
In October, Pouncey was preparing for a return to the lineup by running and working out out in the team facility. Something didn't feel right. An examination found Pouncey's wound didn't granulate as the team had hoped, he said.
In the ensuing weeks, Mike Tomlin never officially ruled out Pouncey for the season when talking to reporters. But his was basically over.
"It all went downhill from there," said Pouncey, who was eligible to return Nov. 8 against Oakland after a stint on short-term injured reserve. "It all happened so fast. I thought I was going to play."
"I blame no one. We're all professionals. I respect this organization for everything they did to get me through this."
Maurkice Pouncey
The staph infection hadn't yet reached the bone, but after corrective surgeries, Pouncey was bedside and slept with a PICC line for medicine two different times. At some point, Pouncey also had an E. Coli infection that wasn't as serious but required attention, he said.
The Steelers did the initial surgery shortly after the injury, and Pouncey made two visits to Dr. Robert Anderson's clinic in Charlotte. Anderson is a renowned foot and ankle specialist.
Pouncey said he underwent multiple surgeries along with a few "clean-outs," plus the graft, equaling seven procedures total.
He said he can't blame anyone for what happened, pointing out "we all took the heat for it" and knows the injury was complicated. Anderson essentially served as the second opinion, and Pouncey went to Anderson's clinic because he's considered the best in that area and "I can't play around with my career."
"We had to figure out the best plan possible to get it right," Pouncey said. "No one really had that many infections like that [around here] ... I blame no one. We're all professionals. I respect this organization for everything they did to get me through this."
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Pouncey's offensive linemen visited him every Thursday to keep his spirits high. Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, Maurkice's twin brother, called him every day. His girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter did their best to make him smile.
Pouncey learned enough about staph infections, so now he immerses himself in blocking techniques. By the second week of organized team activities, Pouncey started to feel like himself, planting and turning with vigor. The metal placed in Pouncey's leg for stability was removed during the procedures, which Pouncey considers a positive.
Minicamp is over, but instead of vacationing over the next week, Pouncey said he'll be putting in two-a-days in South Florida. He rested for five straight months, after all.
"It's just another reality check, shows you how fast things can be taken away," Pouncey said. "At the same time, it's a humbling experience, shows you how much something is important in your life, and football is very important to me."
comment
5:44 PM ET
Jeremy Fowler
ESPN Staff Writer
PITTSBURGH -- The Steelers' Maurkice Pouncey is relieved to be done with a horrific 2015 season that saw the Pro Bowl center undergo six surgical procedures and a skin graft, he told ESPN.
Pouncey broke his left fibula in the preseason when Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix fell onto the back of his leg. Packers receiver Jordy Nelson also tore his anterior cruciate ligament in that game, which was played on Aug. 23 last year.
Pouncey then suffered a setback in October as the surgical wound didn't close properly, resulting in a staph infection.
"It was scary," Pouncey said. "I don't want that on my worst enemy."
Pouncey has recovered from the injury and fully participated in offseason workouts, even as the coaching staff has urged him to take days off.
Maurkice Pouncey is happy to be back on the practice field for the Steelers after a 2015 season that saw him undergo seven procedures after he broke his left fibula in the preseason. AP Photo/Keith Srakocic
He's making up for lost time.
In October, Pouncey was preparing for a return to the lineup by running and working out out in the team facility. Something didn't feel right. An examination found Pouncey's wound didn't granulate as the team had hoped, he said.
In the ensuing weeks, Mike Tomlin never officially ruled out Pouncey for the season when talking to reporters. But his was basically over.
"It all went downhill from there," said Pouncey, who was eligible to return Nov. 8 against Oakland after a stint on short-term injured reserve. "It all happened so fast. I thought I was going to play."
"I blame no one. We're all professionals. I respect this organization for everything they did to get me through this."
Maurkice Pouncey
The staph infection hadn't yet reached the bone, but after corrective surgeries, Pouncey was bedside and slept with a PICC line for medicine two different times. At some point, Pouncey also had an E. Coli infection that wasn't as serious but required attention, he said.
The Steelers did the initial surgery shortly after the injury, and Pouncey made two visits to Dr. Robert Anderson's clinic in Charlotte. Anderson is a renowned foot and ankle specialist.
Pouncey said he underwent multiple surgeries along with a few "clean-outs," plus the graft, equaling seven procedures total.
He said he can't blame anyone for what happened, pointing out "we all took the heat for it" and knows the injury was complicated. Anderson essentially served as the second opinion, and Pouncey went to Anderson's clinic because he's considered the best in that area and "I can't play around with my career."
"We had to figure out the best plan possible to get it right," Pouncey said. "No one really had that many infections like that [around here] ... I blame no one. We're all professionals. I respect this organization for everything they did to get me through this."
EDITOR'S PICKS
Steelers RB Bell won't talk deal until healed
Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell will not discuss a new contract until his surgically repaired knee is healed.
Pouncey's offensive linemen visited him every Thursday to keep his spirits high. Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey, Maurkice's twin brother, called him every day. His girlfriend and 4-year-old daughter did their best to make him smile.
Pouncey learned enough about staph infections, so now he immerses himself in blocking techniques. By the second week of organized team activities, Pouncey started to feel like himself, planting and turning with vigor. The metal placed in Pouncey's leg for stability was removed during the procedures, which Pouncey considers a positive.
Minicamp is over, but instead of vacationing over the next week, Pouncey said he'll be putting in two-a-days in South Florida. He rested for five straight months, after all.
"It's just another reality check, shows you how fast things can be taken away," Pouncey said. "At the same time, it's a humbling experience, shows you how much something is important in your life, and football is very important to me."
