Maurkice Pouncey Reveals He Had 7 Procedures on Injured Leg Last Year

After a season filled with complications in his left leg, Maurkice Pouncey is glad to be back on the field.

After undergoing surgery to repair his broken left fibula last August, the Pittsburgh Steelers' four-time Pro Bowl center revealed Thursday he went under the knife seven different times.  

"It was scary," Pouncey said, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. "I don't want that on my worst enemy."

Pouncey missed all of last season after Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix fell on the back of his leg during a preseason game in Pittsburgh. The Steelers expected Pouncey to return during the regular season, but a staph infection that occurred when the surgery wound refused to close properly slowed down his progress.

The two-time All-Pro was eligible to return on Nov. 8, but ongoing issues led Pittsburgh to shut him down for the year.

"It all went downhill from there," Pouncey said, per Fowler. "It all happened so fast. I thought I was going to play."

Fowler noted Pouncey had an E. Coli infection that he said "wasn't as serious but required attention." He met with Dr. Robert Anderson throughout the process, and despite it being a frustrating time, Pouncey isn't blaming anyone.

"We had to figure out the best plan possible to get it right," Pouncey said, per Fowler. "No one really had that many infections like that [around here] ... I blame no one. We're all professionals. I respect this organization for everything they did to get me through this."

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Fowler said Pouncey will be heading back to his home state of Florida to do two-a-days and ensure he's back at full strength before training camp starts at the end of July.

"It's just another reality check, shows you how fast things can be taken away," Pouncey said, per Fowler. "At the same time, it's a humbling experience, shows you how much something is important in your life, and football is very important to me."

Getting Pouncey back will be a major boost to an improving Pittsburgh offensive line. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sacked a career-low 20 times last year without Pouncey in the lineup. His return can only be seen as a plus for both Pouncey and the Steelers.