Report: Pouncey Ruled Out for Super Bowl XLV

ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported that Pittsburgh Steelers’ rookie center Maurkice Pouncey will miss Sunday’s Super Bowl match-up with the Green Bay Packers with a high ankle sprain as well as a fractured bone in the joint.

Pouncey suffered the injury in the first quarter of the Steelers’ 24-19 AFC Championship victory over the New York Jets, when he was rolled up from behind by an opposing defender. Initially, he was positive about his status for Super Bowl XLV, but as the days progressed, Pouncey unable to shed a walking boot up until Thursday, it became increasingly doubtful that he would be available.

Head coach Mike Tomlin asserted throughout the week that Pouncey would have to practice Friday in order to play--but apparently he didn’t, and he won’t.

In place of Pouncey, Doug Legursky will make his first career start at center.