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08:05 AM ET 03.11 | Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu appeared to be compromised physically in the Super Bowl, and, as it turns out, he was. Sources have confirmed to the Post-Gazette that Polamalu was playing with an injured Achilles tendon that robbed him of his trademark burst and explosiveness and was much worse than the Steelers let on. The injury occurred near the end of his 45-yard interception return for a touchdown Dec. 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the injury, Polamalu remained in the game and had a second interception in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory. But he was never the same after that. Before the Bengals game, Polamalu already was bothered by an injury to the soleus muscle, or calf area, of the same leg.

Troy Polamalu, Getty Images

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March 11, 2011 08:35 AM ET

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Getting injured against the Bungles seems like such a waste.

TxHeat

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March 11, 2011 08:37 AM ET

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QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:35 AM ET 03.11 by TxHeat

Getting injured against the Bungles seems like such a waste.

This is true.

Tebow Time!

Clifton Heights , PA

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March 11, 2011 08:39 AM ET

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Come to the Giants bro. We have a better medical staff and can rebuild you.

P-Dubya

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March 11, 2011 08:49 AM ET

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It must be hard being the only injured guy in the NFL to play.

Wawa-we-wa

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Comment #5 has been removed

March 11, 2011 08:55 AM ET

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Gutsy to play with a damaged Achilles tendon. He's lucky he didn't rupture it.

SouthernBlueFan

Auburn , AL

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March 11, 2011 08:55 AM ET

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They just HAD to add a Bengals' twist. How does a historically terrible franchise garner so much attention on here, anyways???

Naptown_Colts

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March 11, 2011 08:57 AM ET

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It showed. I was surprised at how little impact he had in the Superbowl. He probably shouldn't have played at all. He should've at least been pulled when it became clear he just wasn't making plays. Is Troy at 50% really better than the alternative. If so, that's the problem.

Devi8ed

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March 11, 2011 08:57 AM ET

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QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 08:49 AM ET 03.11 by Wawa-we-wa

It must be hard being the only injured guy in the NFL to play.

In Troy's defense (no pun intended), not too many players are going to play on a damaged Achilles tendon.

Naptown_Colts

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March 11, 2011 08:57 AM ET

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Another reason to oppose the 18-game season.

Debbie Does

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March 11, 2011 09:00 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET 03.11 by Naptown_Colts

In Troy's defense (no pun intended), not too many players are going to play on a damaged Achilles tendon.

I respect Troy. Cripes, I'd take him injured over a healthy Chris Hope.

Wawa-we-wa

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March 11, 2011 09:01 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:57 AM ET 03.11 by Naptown_Colts

In Troy's defense (no pun intended), not too many players are going to play on a damaged Achilles tendon.

and it's not an easy injury to come back from, but it seems he might have more time than usual to rehab.

TxHeat

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March 11, 2011 09:15 AM ET

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In related news: I wish WE had an all-world safety that COULD play through injuries...

Naptown_Colts

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March 11, 2011 09:19 AM ET

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"But he was never the same after that."

I remember some boob talking head during the playoffs ruminating about how Troy was entering the twilight of his career with his primary evidence being that he had lost his burst, remember thinking at the time that I'd take a one legged Troy over most safeties in the league and that he just might be gimpy for some reason.

Jimztheman

Pelham , AL

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March 11, 2011 09:20 AM ET

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That sucks....now they got to replay the whole game to make it fair :P

This guy is getting injured a lot it seems, hope he can get healthy because he's a beast and fun to watch.

Pineapple Express

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March 11, 2011 09:22 AM ET

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I'm shocked it took him this long to come up with an excuse for sucking so badly in the playoffs. He being a Steeler, you'd think he would have really paid attention all these years when Harrison and Porter (when he was on the team) were left crying after a Patriots game.