Darnell Stapleton to IR

**Zachintosh66** · 08-31-2009, 01:15 PM

Just got tweeted... can we confirm?

**SteelCityKid5** · 08-31-2009, 01:38 PM

Darnell Stapleton just told reporters he's going on IR. Congrats, Doug Legursky. #steelers 22 minutes ago from txt

^^^ Got that from jim Wexell's Twitter... so yeah I don't think he'd joke about something like that. It's unfortunate as a person for Darnell but, I see it as a upgrade with Essex playing.

**DanRooney** · 08-31-2009, 01:39 PM

Glad to see we're not wasting a spot on our 53- man roster

**BlackGold4vr** · 08-31-2009, 01:58 PM

Has anyone seen who the 5 cuts are yet?

**cmerrifield** · 08-31-2009, 02:11 PM

I think that Essex will be an improvement over Stapleton this year, he worked hard this offseason to break into the starting lineup, it will be good overall for the Steelers

**LatrobePA** · 08-31-2009, 02:32 PM

Yep just saw that.

Max Starks should be on it too - IR/ Idiot reserve!

**BlitzburghRockCity** · 08-31-2009, 02:42 PM

This is Essex's time to shine now; he's got his chance to start now and it's up to him to take advantage of it. He's been on the roster since the Cowher days so it's now or never.

**steelerfan11** · 08-31-2009, 02:51 PM

Roster moves:

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers placed third-year offensive guard Darnell Stapleton on their Reserve/Injured List and released four others to trim their roster to the NFL-mandated limit of 75 players, the team announced today.

Stapleton (6-3, 305) started the final 12 regular-season games and all three playoff games in 2008 after former starter Kendall Simmons suffered a season-ending injury. Stapleton, who was originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007 out of Rutgers, played in every game last season after being inactive for every game his rookie season.

The Steelers also released wide receiver Steven Black, wide receiver Martin Nance, safety Derrick Richardson and center Alex Stepanovich to trim their roster to 75 players. The club must get their roster down to the league limit of 53 players by 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5.

http://2009.steelers.com/article/109053/

**Zachintosh66** · 08-31-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by cmerrifield

I think that Essex will be an improvement over Stapleton

a swinging gate would be!

**ejsteeler** · 08-31-2009, 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by ESPN.com

In other roster moves, the Steelers place offensive guard Darnell Stapleton on injured reserve and released four players to get under Tuesday's 75-player limit. The four players cut were receiver Martin Nance, safety Derrick Richardson, center Alex Stepanovich and receiver Steven Black.

Seemed like easy picks to me....not sure that I am overjoyed about losing Stapleton though.