Steelers WR Mike Wallace Ruled out Sunday vs. Browns with Leg Injury

Mike Wallace may have worn his last Pittsburgh Steelers uniform.

The 26-year-old wide receiver has been plagued by a hip injury as of late and according to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, it’ll keep him out of action in the Steelers’ season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

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Has Mike Wallace played his last game with Steelers? He will not play vs Browns because of hip/hamstring. 1st game he has missed in career.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) December 28, 2012"

Wallace will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. And after the season he’s had, he definitely isn’t earning Larry Fitzgerald money.

In 2012, Wallace reeled in 836 receptions for 836 yards and eight touchdowns (which ironically is a better season than Fitzgerald has had). After averaging 1,225 receiving yards over the previous two years, fans may be quick to show him the door.

But not so fast.

Entering Week 17, Wallace is actually the Steelers’ leading receiver. The home-run threat was seen as dispensable after Antonio Brown blew up in 2011. But Brown battled injuries and mental mistakes this year and isn’t the clear cut No. 1 wide out he seemed to be five months ago.

Two questions are attached to Wallace as the spring draws near.

Can Pittsburgh afford to re-sign him?

And, can it afford to lose him?

However Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert answer those questions will determine if Wallace plays another down in Black & Gold. But if how easily they replaced Santonio Holmes means anything, then question No. 2 will be answered with a resounding, “Yes.”

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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