Steelers rookie center Pouncey out of Super Bowl

Pittsburgh Steelers star rookie center Maurkice Pouncey will be forced to miss what would have been his first Super Bowl game with a foot injury.

The Steelers officially listed his injury as a high left ankle sprain last week but coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that there likely is a fracture there as well.

The injury is a serious blow to the offensive unit of the Steelers, who will face the Green Bay Packers in the NFL championship game at Cowboys Stadium on Sunday.

Backup Doug Legursky will play in Pouncey's place in what will mark his first NFL start as a center. Legursky started four games at guard for the Steelers earlier this season after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

Pouncey was wearing a hard cast then switched to a walking boot and has been noticeably limping around the Steelers' practice facility and hotel this week.