How Important Is Hines Ward to the Pittsburgh Steelers' Passing Game?

Hines Ward has a thumb injury and a recent DUI arrest. Neither are too serious, or likely to keep him from missing time this season.

However, players do often downplay their injuries and Commissioner Roger Goodell has been having a lot of fun lately playing big brother with all the inconsistent suspensions and fines he has enacted on players. One could say that a suspension could happen to Ward.

Ward is a Super Bowl MVP and the type of player who has the kind of talent that is one or two steps short of being a lock for the Hall of Fame. Even though the receiver is 35 years old, he is still a big part of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense.

If the Pittsburgh Steelers were to immediately take away the production Ward brought last season, then they would be 755 yards, five touchdowns, and 35 first downs less than what they had before.

Their offensive line is arguably the worst in the league, even with the addition of Maurkice Pouncey, who had a sensational rookie season. Receiver Mike Wallace is a third year pro, and has a knack for making plays but we can’t be sure if he would be able to lead an offense.

The run game is a strength of the Steelers, but it can’t be the lone driving force of their offense.

The only thing left that would have kept the Steelers from feeling the consequences of a possible Ward absence was the possibility of signing Plaxico Burress. He has signed with the New York Jets and ironically, he will be partnered with the Steelers other Super Bowl MVP, Santonio Holmes.

Ben Roethlisberger is not known as a big passer, or even one that gets the job done in a pretty way. But he has thrown for over 7,528 yards in the 27 games he has started in the past two seasons.

With Wallace gaining experience as a starter, Heath Miller being about as good as ever and Emanuel Sanders entering his second year, no one would expect their passing game to suddenly become ineffective, just that it would take a step back without Ward.

But possibly a big one, if you consider what an experienced player and leader he is.

If Ward were to start the season on the PUP list, then he would only miss six games. If he were suspended, it would probably be for far less time.

There would not be a need to panic, just an understanding that the receiving corps would be less effective as it has been in the past two seasons if Ward were to miss any time.