Max

Starks

Starks came off the street and helped settle the Steelers’ reeling offensive line in Sunday’s win over the Titans. It was his first game action in 11 months. And with Marcus Gilbert (shoulder) leaving early, Starks was forced to play all but two snaps. “I think the first thing is that you have to give credit to him for coming back in the ridiculously good shape he’s in,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

Starks says his “intent” is to re-sign with the Steelers after his knee has healed, but they may have moved on by then if a first-round caliber tackle is available at the No. 24 overall pick. Starks is only 30, so he should still have a few years of football left in him, assuming the knee recovery goes smoothly.

Starks won’t resume running until June or July after tearing his ACL in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, so no move is imminent. Marcus Gilbert is currently penciled in as the Steelers’ blindside protector, but it’s possible they could use the No. 24 pick on a left tackle.

Starks nearly fell out of the league in 2011 due to a neck injury and weight problems, so it’s fair to wonder if reconstructive surgery might be a career-ender for him. Starks, who turns 30 tomorrow, was signed off the street in early October. Across 12 regular season starts, Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s 32nd-best offensive tackle among 76 who qualified.

He’s been replaced by Jonathan Scott. Starks initially left toward the end of the second quarter. He returned to play a few snaps, and was downgraded to “doubtful” to return at halftime, probably because the knee swelled up. We wouldn’t bet on seeing Starks again tonight.

If true, it could be a career-ending injury for Starks, who will turn 30 this week and was left unsigned until early October due to weight concerns. Although he stayed healthy after re-signing with the Steelers in Week 5, he was limited to just seven games in 2010 by a neck injury.

Well over the salary cap limit, the Steelers are already working feverishly to free up money for restricted free agent Mike Wallace. The front office will let the market determine the salaries for OT Max Starks (torn ACL), DB William Gay, and WR Jerricho Cotchery.

Starks would apparently only be an option at right tackle if Marcus Gilbert comes down with injury. GM Kevin Colbert recently said the Steelers were monitoring Starks’ recovery from a torn ACL, but gave no indication a signing was close.

“It’s a great day, doc gave me a great report! On my way to being game ready,” Starks wrote on his Twitter page while announcing his new contract. Six months removed from a torn ACL, Starks will almost certainly be eased into training camp. Once he’s back to football shape, the 30-year-old will provide a fallback plan on Ben Roethlisberger’s blindside in case second-rounder Mike Adams needs more time to develop. Marcus Gilbert should be planted on the right side.