This is what it looked like, and this is what we hoped for Stephon Tuitt.

Some good news for the #Steelers. Source says DE Stephon Tuitt is week-to-week with a biceps injury. Not season-ending. “He’s OK,” one said. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2017

Video analysis Sunday indicated the lesser injury and a possible timetable for return of 1-3 weeks.

Even though he likely suffered a complete tendon tear, because the biceps has two attachments at the shoulder, a complete tear of one has no functional deficient. The only issues is a cosmetic “Popeye” deformity which may not even be visible on someone as muscular as Tuitt.


This is a pain and function issue. It is not even impossible he returns to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings if his swelling subsides.

Our initial post Sunday, 7:40 p.m. PT:

Stephon Tuitt on Saturday signed a contract that will pay him $24 million over the next two years, and the next day left the Steelers’ season opener with a biceps injury.

The type of biceps injury will determine when he plays again.


The best-case scenario is a proximal long head of biceps tendon tear. Because there are two attachments up high, even completely tearing one leaves a cosmetic deformity but allows a quick return to play. If it is in the muscle (rare), return is measured in weeks based on severity and symptoms.

The worst outcome would be a distal tendon tear at the elbow. That would mean weakness in wrapping and tackling to the extent that it would mean surgery and IR. Given it is only week one, the typical 3-4 month recovery would give Tuitt the chance to return for a late-season or playoff run if the Steelers had that need/luxury.

By video, the hope for good news is that there is nothing to suggest a distal biceps tendon tear, which would require surgery.

However, after an initial examination, the team evidently fears that is a possibility.


Steelers DE Stephon Tuitt signed $61M deal Saturday. Today team fears he tore his biceps. Monday is MRI. If torn, his season would be over. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2017

The limited video is more consistent with a proximal tear. If Tuitt suffered a proximal or biceps muscle injury, that is minor and would require minimal time with rehab as short as 1-3 weeks.

Mark Kaboly, a Steelers beat reporter, saw Tuitt post game without a sling and carrying a duffle bag with his injured arm.

Teammates evidently indicated Tuitt’s injury wasn’t that bad.


Teammates don't think Tuitt's bicep injury is that bad. Now, what 'that bad' means can be debated. Will have to wait for MRI — Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 10, 2017

Let’s hope that lack of video evidence and postgame report means the worst-case distal tear is not what happened.

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