Mike Tomlin: Maurkice Pouncey has chance to play this year depending on how he heals

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't ready to call an end to center Maurkice Pouncey's season just yet.

Pouncey, who suffered a significant ankle injury in the Steelers' preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, is set to undergo surgery.

The expectation is Pouncey will be placed on the IR-recall list to open the season, which would force him to miss a minimum of eight weeks.

It sounds like missing only six games may be optimistic.

Pouncey has a chance to return second half of season, head coach Mike Tomlin told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler on Thursday, but it will depend on how quickly he heals from his surgery.

Pouncey is one of the NFL's best centers and the Steelers' offense (and Ben Roethlisberger's safety, in particular) will take a big hit as long as he's out of the lineup.

Cody Wallace is expected to replace Pouncey in the starting lineup.