Steelers RB Coach in Critical Condition
 

_________________________________Steelers assistant Kirby Wilson was severely burned in the Jan. 6 fire at his home._________

Updated Jan 17, 2012 7:11 PM ET

PITTSBURGH (AP)

Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson remains in critical condition with burns on more than 45 percent of his body.

The team released a statement from Wilson's family on Tuesday saying the 50-year-old also suffered a smoke inhalation injury during the Jan. 6 fire at his townhouse in a northern Pittsburgh suburb. Authorities say the fire broke out around 3 a.m. in the kitchen of Wilson's home in Seven Fields, about 30 minutes north of the city. Flames were visible to firefighters when they arrived on the scene. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Wilson, in his fifth season with the Steelers, was airlifted to UPMC Mercy hospital, where he remains in the Trauma Burn Unit. UPMC Mercy has the area's only Comprehensive Burn Center. It's the same hospital where quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was treated following a motorcycle crash in 2006.

Wilson, who is from Los Angeles, played running back and wide receiver at Illinois before playing briefly in the Canadian Football League. He served as running backs coach in New England, Washington, Arizona and Tampa Bay before joining the Steelers when head coach Mike Tomlin took over in 2007.