In 2019, the NFL fined the Pittsburgh Steelers for failing to disclose Ben Roethlisberger’s elbow injury on the injury report. The NFL fined the Steelers $75,000 and head coach Mike Tomlin $25,000. Roethlisberger was held out of practice one day before the week two matchup vs. Seattle. He missed practice due to an elbow injury, but the Steelers said he missed practice due to other reasons. Later that week, during the game, he suffered a non-contact elbow injury ending his season. The Steelers may be facing another injury report problem from the 2020-2021 season.
Guard David DeCastro was released earlier this week by the Steelers. He admitted he had been dealing with bone spurs in his ankle throughout the season. The injury reports say otherwise.
“I have to get surgery on my ankle a third time. I tried to fix it last year, but the bone spurs kept coming back. It nagged me pretty bad all last year.”
DeCastro on his ankle injury, via Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Steelers released DeCastro Thursday. He did not participate in offseason OTAs due to the injury but was in attendance with the rest of his teammates. The NFL rarely cracks down on failure to list injuries, but the Steelers face an injury report problem.
Will DeCastro Retire?
DeCastro has played nine years in the NFL, all with the Steelers. He is a two-time first-team All-Pro and has gone to six Pro-Bowls. DeCastro also admitted he’s unsure his career will continue.
“Gotta see how the surgery goes. But I’d have no problem calling it a day and moving on with my life.”
DeCastro on his NFL future, via Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
DeCastro appeared on the injury report for knee, hand, and abdominal injuries and practice days off for non-injury-related reasons. Never for ankle issues. Since the injury is excruciating and now has required multiple surgeries, one would think it should have been listed on the report at some point last season.
