Holmes Stands on the Sidelines With Non-Football Injury

So what exactly is the deal right now with Santonio Holmes?  The Steelers number two wide out, and a guy that many are counting on to have a big year, is standing on the sidelines on Thursday catching one-handed passes instead of being out on the playing field getting better along with his teammates.  Currently Holmes sits on the PUP list as he is trying to come back from an “undisclosed procedure that is non-football related.”  Huh?

Well, whatever it is that is bothering Santonio, we’d better hope that it gets healthy soon, as with him on the sidelines suddenly the Steelers passing attack, which should be even better in 2007, looks a bit out of wack.  Holmes said on Thursday that he has “no idea” on when he will be back on the field and that he has to simply listen to the doctors and wait for them to give him clearance to practice.

Coach Mike Tomlin had said earlier that Holmes should only miss a day or so of practice, so that is a good sign.  Last season Holmes, after fumbling about every three times he touched the ball or so it seemed, really got in a groove and by the end of the season was a go-to guy for Big Ben and the offense.  Asked about if the injury is a major setback, Holmes didn’t seem too worried.  “I don’t think so. I don’t think having to sit out a couple days, a week, however many days it is, will set me back.”