Clark

Haggans

Duce Staley and Plaxico Burress are still uncertain this week for the Steelers.

Haggans hurt the hand while lifting weights. He’s expected to miss several weeks of training camp. Signed to a contract extension in the offseason, Haggans was expected to replace Jason Gildon at OLB. Alonzo Jackson will fill in for now.

He thinks he could play by this weekend. If so, Haggans is well ahead of his recovery schedule. He’ll be Pittsburgh’s starting OLB this season.

GM Rod Graves has already acknowledged that the veterans would likely be brought back. Holliday would play a reserve role behind Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett. Although Haggans was a 16-game starter a year ago, he’s in line for a backup job with Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield taking over on the outside.

A 16-game starter last season, Haggans will be replaced O’Brien Schofield in the starting lineup. Quentin Groves has beaten him out for a roster spot.

Unbeknownst at the time, Haggans was convicted of DUI on April 21, 2011. He eventually pleaded guilty to “extreme DUI” and was sentenced to nine days behind bars in addition to 36 days of home detentions. Because Haggans was convicted, he could be subject to a short suspension. It’s not a given, of course.

The incident occurred during the lockout, which might put Haggans in the clear. He did serve jail time in Pennsylvania this summer after pleading guilty to “extreme DUI.” Haggans projects as the Cardinals’ primary backup behind Sam Acho and O’Brien Schofield at outside linebacker.

Per the Sacramento Bee’s Matt Barrows, Haggans is facing a possible three-game suspension, likely stemming from his 2011 DUI. If discipline is handed down promptly, Haggans could open the year on San Francisco’s reserve-suspended list, and not cost the team a roster spot. Though Haggans’ pass-rush ability has evaporated at age 35, he can still set the edge in run defense.

The 35-year-old Haggans was released by the Cardinals on Friday. The Niners are badly in need of depth at the position with only Parys Haralson behind starters Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. Neither rookie drafted in April - Darius Fleming (PUP) and Cam Johnson (Practice Squad) - has panned out thus far.