Steelers G Stapleton needs arthroscopic surgery

[SD2042]

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LATROBE, Pa. (AP)—Pittsburgh Steelers right guard Darnell Stapleton(notes) will arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Friday and the team has no timetable set for his return.

The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Stapleton had been practicing at center in place of Justin Hartwig(notes), who arrived at training camp with a toe injury. But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practiced since Sunday.

“We’ll see where we’re at after (Friday) morning,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “We’re going to clean it up and go from there.”

Stapleton, who made the roster in 2007 as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, started the final 12 regular season games and all three playoff games at right guard for the Steelers after Kendall Simmons(notes) went down with a torn Achilles tendon.

But Stapleton had swelling in the knee and has not practiced since Sunday.

Hartwig also has been brought along slowly by the team with a toe injury he suffered in July.

The injuries have left the team thin on the offensive line. Trai Essex(notes), a top backup who had been expected to challenge Stapleton for a starting spot, is playing right guard. Doug Legursky(notes), an undrafted player out of Marshall who spent the part of the 2008 season on the practice squad, has filled in at center.