Buckeyes in the NFL, Week Seven: Injuries Mount for Former Buckeye Players

The Steelers have been decimated by injuries this season, several of which are affecting Buckeyes on the team. Will Allen missed Sunday's game against the Chiefs while Ryan Shazier finally returned from his.

Among Pittsburgh's most significant is to lineman Mike Adams. Depth is a major concern along the entire offensive line – starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, starting center Maurkice Pouncey has not yet returned from a broken ankle, while Micah Hatchie, Kelvin Palmer and Mitchell Van Dyk are on injured reserve. They could certainly use Adams' versatility.

Unfortunately, Adams is dealing with a back problem. The Steelers placed Adams on the Physically Unable to Perform list at the end of training camp, which meant he was out for the first six weeks before becoming eligible to return for week seven. Adams did not practice last week and, per NFL rules, the team is now in the middle of a 21-day window to decide if he can play. If not, Adams will be placed on injured reserve.

When asked, Adams did not give an indication on his status:

OT Mike Adams said he isn't sure if he'll be back this year, largely deferring to Mike Tomlin #steelers @pasports

— Jacob Klinger (@Jacob_Klinger_) October 21, 2015

Pittsburgh's head coach did not exactly clear things up.

"I hadn’t checked on him [Adams], I hadn’t checked on [Maurkice] Pouncey," Tomlin said, via Steelers Depot. "I imagine at some point today I will, but like I said earlier, my priority has been the guys that have the potential to be available to us this week, so from that standpoint, I’d imagine that Mike doesn’t have the potential to be available."

It's worth noting Adams is in the final year of his rookie contract. If he is unable to return this season, it may be his last with the Steelers.

Mangold Suffers Neck Injury

A scary moment occurred during the Jets' matchup with the Patriots. Nick Mangold went down in the final minute of the game and remained there for several minutes. 

Mangold laid motionless on the field while New York's training staff immobilized his head and turned him over. Fortunately, Mangold got up and walked off under his own power. He wore a neck brace following the game and will undergo an x-ray.

Head coach Todd Bowles did not provide an update on his status.

Panthers Mock Ohio State

No franchise is as Buckeye friendly as Carolina. Philly Brown, Kurt Coleman, Ted Ginn Jr. and Andrew Norwell all start for the Panthers, who feature more Ohio State starters than any other team in the league – the Steelers are a close second. With so many Buckeyes in the locker room, it's natural for the rest of the Panthers to be jealous of a school coming off a national title and who remains No. 1 in the country.

As is tradition on NBC's Sunday Night Football, players introduce themselves. Watch and listen as Thomas Davis and Charles Tillman – who actually went to Louisiana-Lafayette – mock Coleman before he has a chance on screen:

Play of the WeEk

Malcolm Jenkins joined the impressive amount of Buckeyes on Sunday Night Football. 

Earlier in the week, Pro Football Focus listed him and Walter Thurmond as one of the best safety combos in the league. Both are former corners and Jenkins grades as PFF's second-best safety in the league. For the most part, he plays in the box and matches up in man coverage against the slot receiver. He's stout against the run but exceptional against the pass – Jenkins rates as PFF's top safety in coverage. 

His play against the Panthers backed up his high grades:

How They Fared in Week Seven