DALLAS -- A string of freak accidents and injuries has hit the Pittsburgh Steelers - five strange injuries to key players were reported by various news outlets over the course of five days, Monday through Friday.

It began Monday when NFL.com reported that James Harrison suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns when he fell asleep on a beach in Hawaii while attending the Pro Bowl player events (Click here to read article). Despite not playing in the Pro Bowl, Harrison had flown to Hawaii for the weekend to enjoy the festivities for the players and fans.

On Tuesday, kicker Shaun Suisham, who had not travelled with the team on Monday to attend a Philadelphia charity event, slipped on icy steps while leaving his residence, severely spraining his ankle (Read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette report here). Pittsburgh has signed two backup kickers, Nigel Gruff and Daniel Ruettiger, to replace him.

Safe from cold weather in Dallas? Not so much. On Wednesday, wide receiver Hines Ward was at the indoor football facility at Texas Christian University, as 3-5 inches of snow and ice had fallen in an unusual Texas winter storm. Upon exiting, Ward found himself in a college campus snowball fight, and was struck in the face, cutting his eye and severely impairing his depth perception (Click here for the Yahoo! Sports article). Though the injury is temporary, it will keep him out of the game as well.

Avoiding the winter snow, Heath Miller and some teammates went to reknowned Fort Worth resturant "Billy Bob's Texas". While there, he attempted to ride a mechanical bull. When thrown from the bucking machine, Miller landed awkwardly and broke his collarbone, despite padding surrounding the device (Read the ESPN.com article here).

On Friday, NFL.com reported the final bad news - Troy Polamalu contracted a severe infestation of head lice, and unless he shaves his head, will not be allowed to play per orders of the Dallas County Health Department. (NFL.com story - click here).

Sources say the Steelers are staying in their hotel rooms on Saturday, foregoing their typical pregame walk-through. The same sources tell ESPN say the Steelers have covered the rooms in bubble wrap and styrofoam peanuts, and that a group of front office interns are tasting all meals before serving it to the players.

Super Bowl XLV: Steelers vs Packers
Sunday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m. ET (FOX)

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