AFC North: Steelers lose Maurkice Pouncey; Joe Thomas criticizes NFL

With Week 2 of the NFL preseason almost wrapped up, we take a look around the AFC North to find the division's biggest storylines.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Maurkice Pouncey lost to ankle injury
The Steelers suffered a huge loss on Sunday when Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey was lost to a significant ankle injury. The injury-causing play happened when Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix rolled into Pouncey's leg on a first-quarter running play, forcing him to leave the game on a cart.

Pouncey was later seen on crutches and wearing a large cast on his ankle before head coach Mike Tomlin said his center would likely require surgery. Pouncey was Pro Football Focus' sixth ranked center in 2014 after missing most of 2013 with a torn ACL. With him out, Cody Wallace will be Pitt's starting center until Pouncey can return.

Bud Dupree has breakout game
The Steelers drafted Kentucky pass-rusher Bud Dupree in the first round of this year's draft in hopes he would upgrade their porous defense and give them a better pass-rush. His struggles in training camp and through the first week of the preseason had some wondering if he was going to make any impact as a rookie before he had a great game on Sunday vs. the Packers.

Dupree finished the game with two tackles, one sack, one QB hit and one tackle for loss in addition to several other pressures. He looked like a player capable of upgrading Pittsburgh's defense and making an impact this year.

Cleveland Browns

Joe Thomas criticizes NFL, Roger Goodell for DeflateGate and other topics
Browns left tackle Joe Thomas weighed in on the DeflateGate saga, and he believes Tom Brady did not deserve to be suspended or fined even if deflated footballs were used by the Patriots. Thomas said he "would equate what [Brady] did to driving 66 [mph] in a 65 [mph] speed zone, and getting the death penalty."

Thomas also compared the NFL to professional wrestling and likened NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to WWE chairman Vince McMahon, calling the NFL an "entertainment business" and saying "Goodell is Vince McMahon."

Duke Johnson's hamstring issues date back to high school
The Browns drafted Miami RB Duke Johnson in the third round of this year's NFL draft in hopes he could become the featured back in their offense this year. However, hamstring issues have plagued him in training camp, and they apparently date back to his high school days. Johnson would have been a higher pick in this year's draft if not for how often he was injured in college. He's already off to a bad start on that front in his NFL career.

Baltimore Ravens

Terrell Suggs takes 'cheap shot' at Sam Bradford's knee
During Saturday's preseason game between the Ravens and Eagles, Terrell Suggs went low while attempting to hit QB Sam Bradford during a pass play. It just so happens this was Bradford's first NFL action in almost a year after he tore his ACL during the 2014 preseason. Bradford made it no secret after the game he thought that hit, which drew a 15-yard penalty for a low hit, was intentional.

"I think that was what he was trying to do," Bradford told reporters, when asked if he felt Suggs was aiming at his knees. "I was a little upset. I'm not sure I can repeat what I said to him."

Eagles offensive tackle Jason Peters added, "It was a cheap shot at the quarterback. I'm pretty sure he (Suggs) planned it."

Ravens security director found not guilty of groping stadium worker
A jury found the director of security for the Baltimore Ravens was not guilty of charges that he groped a stadium worker after a game. An M&T Bank Stadium employee previously accused Ravens security director Darren Sanders of groping her after a home game in 2014.

Sanders has been on administrative leave, per the NFL's personal-conduct policy, since the incident after pleading not guilty in March. It's unclear when/if he'll be permitted to work for the Ravens again.