Steelers activate All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey from reserve/COVID-19 list

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be more whole heading into a pivotal "Sunday Night Football" showdown with the Buffalo Bills. 

On Friday, Pittsburgh activated eight-time Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, a five-time All-Pro selection during his career, off the reserve/COVID-19 list. The 31-year-old went on the list hours ahead of the divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 2 and also missed Monday's game versus the Washington Football Team that Pittsburgh lost 23-17 to fall to 11-1 on the season.

As Brooke Pryor noted for ESPN, Pittsburgh's rushing attack dramatically suffered without Pouncey in the lineup, and the offensive line routinely lost battles versus Washington's defensive front. The Steelers averaged a woeful 1.5 yards per carry in Monday's loss, per ESPN stats, with first-year center J.C. Hassenauer starting in place of Pouncey. 

Pouncey's return comes as the Steelers are preparing to face a Buffalo defense currently surrendering 126.0 yards on the ground per game, according to ESPN. The Bills improved to 9-3 on the campaign with an impressive 34-24 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. 

James Conner, Pittsburgh's leading rusher and top running back, also missed the last two games but was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week and is on track to play against Buffalo.