Doug

Legursky

Ben Roethlisberger will also be missing LT Jonathan Scott. Ramon Foster will start in Legursky’s place, while Trai Essex is spelling Scott. Roethlisberger has taken an average of three sacks per game thus far this season, and will likely take at least that many on Sunday.

Journeyman Trai Essex is expected to start on Big Ben’s blindside while Ramon Foster fills in for Doug Legursky (shoulder) at right guard. Essex will be in the spotlight against a Texans front seven that is bringing the heat through three games.

Legursky dislocated his toe in the first quarter last week and will be out at least a few weeks. The good news for the Steelers is that they are expected to get Chris Kemoeatu (knee) back this week. The offense shouldn’t be affected, especially with a dream matchup in Arizona on tap.

Wallace will be guaranteed $2.7 million under the first-round tender. Along with Baltimore’s Lardarius Webb, he’s expected to test a restricted free agent market that hasn’t seen an NFL team successfully sign an offer sheet at the first-round level in a decade. The other five Steelers are believed to have been tendered at the lowest level available to the team.

Legursky is currently recovering from shoulder surgery. The 26-year-old former undrafted free agent played center at Marshall, but made six of his ten 2011 starts at guard. Pro Football Focus graded him poorly across the board.

“Really, we didn’t think David would be there at 24 quite honestly,” said GM Kevin Colbert. “We valued him that high ... This kid is an exceptional player.” DeCastro’s consistency grade of 96.88 last season was the highest in the Pac-12 since the stat was introduced in 1985. The Steelers will likely keep him at right guard, leaving Ramon Foster to hold off Doug Legursky at left guard.

Legursky will be eased in as a swingman between center and guard. It’s quite possible that he’s lost his starting job to Ramon Foster, as the Steelers offensive line has solidified the past few weeks.

If Legursky, who was filling in for Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), cannot return, it will leave the Steelers extremely thin along their offensive line. LG Trai Essex is now at center, forcing an always overmatched Chris Kemoeatu into the game at left guard. It could be a long day for Charlie Batch.

Doug Legursky will move over from left guard, weakening two positions with mistake-prone Chris Kemoeatu likely to enter the starting lineup. The Steelers had hoped to have their offensive line intact, as they’ve averaged six more points per game with all hands on deck this season.

Legursky originally injured his left shoulder in late September versus the Colts and aggravated it several times throughout the season. His recovery timetable is not yet known. Legursky will be back in Pittsburgh as a restricted free agent, though he may have to fight to keep his starting job.