Woods With Shot To Step Up With McLendon Out

All the ballet in the world couldn’t help Steelers nose tackle Steve McLendon get well quick enough to get back on the field for Thursday’s critical game vs the Ravens.

The Steelers starter at the former spot owned by Casey Hampton will likely be manned by 6-4, 307 pound Al Woods, who played well in relief of McLendon Sunday in Cleveland.

McLendon will miss the Ravens game with an ankle sprain on his right ankle which he suffered during the Steelers 27-11 win over the Browns.

Sunday the Steelers didn’t miss a beat inside, as Woods had his way for the most part with Browns safety Alex Mack, beating him for a pair of sacks and getting credit for four total tackles.

Woods was drafted by the Saints in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft after playing his college football at LSU.

He was released in his first season by the Saints before playing a game, and the Steelers inked him to their practice squad.

Woods then went to Tampa Bay and Seattle before finding his way back to the Steelers last November.

Like other Steelers that have stepped up on defense due to injury, the play of Woods will be important on a short week with a Ravens team that will use Ray Rice on offense to set up the pass.

The team may also be without LB LaMarr Woodley and DE Brett Keisel, making the play of Woods all that more important for a somewhat beat up defensive black and gold unit.