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Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey had seven ankle surgeries last year

Maurkice Pouncey required seven surgical procedures on his broken fibula to get him ready to take the field in 2016.
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Pittsburgh Steelers center missed all of the 2015 season after sustaining a broken fibula during the preseason, and he revealed to ESPN it took seven surgical procedures to get him ready to take the field in 2016.

Pouncey underwent six surgeries on the broken bone plus a skin graft after he contracted a staph infection because the surgical wound would not close properly.

“It was scary,” Pouncey said. “I don’t want that on my worst enemy.”

Pouncey sustained the injury during a preseason game against the Green Bay Packers last October when Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix fell onto his leg.

After undergoing the surgeries, Pouncey has been a full participant in off-season workouts and plans to be ready for the 2016 season.

“It’s just another reality check, shows you how fast things can be taken away,” Pouncey said. “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.”