Mike

Pouncey

As is his brother Mike. Maurkice spent his entire career in Pittsburgh. The Pounceys leave the league at 31 years old. Maurkice was drafted No. 18 overall by the Steelers in 2010, while Mike went 15th overall to the Dolphins in 2011 and played two seasons for the Chargers. Maurkice’s retirement saves the Steelers $8 million in cap space, and raises some questions about Ben Roethlisberger’s return, as Pouncey — a nine-time Pro Bowler — and Roethlisberger talked often about playing as long as other. A chronic hip injury ended Mike’s final NFL season in September, when the Chargers placed him on injured reserve following surgery. Mike was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent.

The four-time Pro Bowler was placed on injured reserve last September following hip surgery. Pouncey, 31, retired Friday along with twin brother, Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey. Mike Pouncey was selected by the Dolphins with the 15th overall NFL draft pick in 2011. He played seven seasons in Miami -- one as a right guard -- before finishing his career with the Chargers. Mike Pouncey was due to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Pouncey missed Week 1 with the hip ailment as the team held out hope Pouncey could return from an injury that’s plagued him for years. The four-time Pro Bowl selection will be placed on injured reserve.

The Chargers have yet to detail how significant Pouncey’s hip injury is. It’s an area of the body that has given Pouncey issues in the past, but if the team expected their anchor to miss numerous weeks they simply could place him on short term IR. That has not happened so far. Sunday is a massive test for the Chargers, as is slowing down Chris Jones on the interior.

It remains unclear if this injury is expected to keep Pouncey sidelined for multiple weeks. RT Bryan Bulaga (hamstring) and RG Trai Turner (knee) are also questionable. The Bengals allowed the most rushing yards to quarterbacks last year, but it’s shaping up to be a letdown spot for Tyrod Taylor if the majority of Los Angeles’ starting o-line is missing for Sunday. Mike Williams (shoulder) is also questionable to suit up.

It would be a tough break for the LA offense in their run up to a Week 1 game in Cincinnati. Pouncey missed the entire week of Chargers practice with the hip injury. Pouncey, who has dealt with hip ailments since at least 2017, has said he could one day require a hip replacement. It’s not clear if this injury will keep him out multiple weeks.

“I feel great,” Pouncey added, saying he expects to be full go when team facilities open, whenever that may be. Turning 31 in July, Pouncey said the COVID-19 pandemic has given him a glimpse of what retirement could be like, and he declared that he has no plans to hang up the cleats anytime soon. Pouncey said he’d be in favor of any measures that allow the NFL to start the season on time, whether it’s moving the Chargers out of California temporarily, wearing masks, and/or social distancing. He echoed what many Americans are feeling: “People are tired of sitting at home.” Pouncey is headed into the final year of his contract.

“He’s trending in the right direction,” Telesco added. Pouncey hasn’t been medically cleared -- at least not that we know -- but there’s still plenty of time for that ahead of the season. For now, it sounds like the Chargers are counting on Pouncey at the pivot of their rebuilt offensive line. Adding a left tackle is still of utmost importance for Telesco. Sam Tevi is currently penciled in there, but this line could be one of the better ones in the league if Pouncey is back to his normal self.

While it’s a disappointing update for the 30-year-old All-Pro, it’s also an expected one following Pouncey’s career-threatening neck injury and surgery in October. Los Angeles added stalwart RT Bryan Bulaga and interior G Trai Turner to shore up their pass-pro this offseason, but the team’s glaring vacancy at center remains a mystery. The organization will likely have another update on Pouncey ahead of training camp.

The team signed C/G Ryan Groy in a corresponding move. Pouncey will also undergo neck surgery, potentially sidelining him beyond 2019. Los Angeles was already charged in allowing a top-10 pressure rate (31.7%) on offense but that mark will likely plummet further with Dan Feeney shifting to center and Forrest Lamp moving into the starting lineup at left guard. The team’s lack of viable bodies available to keep Philip Rivers clean is all the more reason to keep Austin Ekeler involved in the passing game for every game plan moving forward.