Steelers' Hampton still hopes to return after third ACL surgery (original) (raw)

Published: Jan 26, 2012 at 07:25 AM

Hampton, who suffered the injury in the AFC Wild-Card Game loss at Denver, will undergo his third ACL surgery, per the report. It will be his second ACL surgery as a member of the Steelers and the second on his left knee, according to the Post-Gazette.

The Steelers had said they did not think Hampton's knee required surgery.

Hampton, 34, told the Post-Gazette that he would like to play next season. But he could represent one of the "tough decisions" that team president Art Rooney II said the Steelers will face since they are 25millionoverthesalarycap.Hamptonisscheduledtoearn25 million over the salary cap. Hampton is scheduled to earn 25millionoverthesalarycap.Hamptonisscheduledtoearn4.8 million next season, but his cap value will be more than $8 million.

Hampton's cause could be helped by the retirement of longtime backup Chris Hoke at perhaps the most crucial position in the team's 3-4 defense. The other backup nose tackle is Steve McLendon.

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