Jason Worilds Injury: Updates on Steelers LB's Knee and Return

Updates from Monday, Aug. 25

Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter passed along the latest on Jason Worilds' status:

Original Text

Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds was forced out of Thursday's preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a knee injury. 

NFL's Around the League Twitter feed provided the news, noting the injury occurred right after the 26-year-old made a sizable impact:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided an encouraging update:

A team never wants to see any of its players go down with an injury, but the Steelers will be especially hopeful that Worilds is OK. Playing under the franchise tag this season, the outside linebacker is easily one of Pittsburgh's most important defenders. 

He had eight sacks last season, but an improvement from him will be necessary if the Steelers are going to improve their pass rush, which finished near the bottom of the league in sacks a season ago.

As Rivals' Mike Farrell noted, expectations for a breakout year are high:

Worilds and the Steelers have been discussing a new long-term contract, but with that unlikely to get done before the season starts, he's going to have to earn his paycheck on the field. As such, he'll to have to stay healthy. 

Fortunately for both him and the team, this injury doesn't sound overly concerning.