David DeCastro Injury: Latest Updates on Steelers Guard's Return

UPDATE: Monday, November 26 at 5:27 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to the Steelers' Twitter, DeCastro has been activated from the reserved/injured list:

"

We have activated guard David DeCastro from the Reserve/Injured; Designated to Return List & promoted OL John Malecki to our active roster

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 26, 2012"

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Sunday, November 25 at 11:48 a.m. ET by Steven Gerwel

For Steelers fans anxious to witness the debut of the team's 24th overall draft pick from last April, you may be in luck. 

DeCastro did not appear on the team's list of inactives according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal (via Twitter)

"

#Steelers inactives: QBs Leftwich & Roethlisberger, CB Van Dyke, S Polamalu, OT Gilbert, WRs Brown & Cotchery. #Browns #NFL

— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) November 25, 2012"

For those who may have questioned if DeCastro was ready to play regardless of returning to practice, your concerns have been addressed. If he wasn't ready to see the field, there would be no reason to activate him for today's game against Cleveland. 

By all accounts, it seems as though the former Stanford standout is ready for his NFL debut. 

---End of Update----

After a rash of bad injury news, the Pittsburgh Steelers received a glimmer of hope with rookie guard David DeCastro returning to practice. 

The Steelers tweeted out this update

"

First round draft pick, rookie David DeCastro is eligible & will return to practice today, he is still on the Return/Reserve/Injured List.

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 21, 2012"

DeCastro tore his MCL in the preseason, and he has been away from the field since. According to NFL.com's Marc Sessler, the Steelers have two weeks to decide if they want to activate him. Otherwise, he will go on the injured reserve and would not be eligible to play until next season. 

As long as DeCastro proves to be healthy and doesn't suffer a setback, he will almost certainly be activated. 

He was selected out of Stanford by the Steelers with the 24th pick in the 2012 NFL draft. That is lofty territory for a guard, and he was widely considered the best interior offensive lineman in the entire class. 

It was expected he would start from Week 1. 

Ramon Foster has performed admirably in his place at right guard, and while DeCastro has been out, the Steelers' line has made serious strides by making improvements in the run and pass game as the season has gone on. 

Head coach Mike Tomlin has to be careful not to derail the budding chemistry of the offensive line, but DeCastro has superior talent and he will raise the potential of the group. 

The line's improved play does afford the Steelers more patience in getting DeCastro into the starting lineup, and anyway you look it at, this is positive news for the Steelers.