How the Pittsburgh Steelers Can Survive Recent String of Injuries

It is hard to look at a dominating 37-19 win with anything but excitement. The Pittsburgh Steelers went into Carolina and beat the Panthers in every phase of the game. After a slow start by both teams, the Steelers simply took control and never looked back.

However, not all is well for the Steelers at this point. Pittsburgh came into the game with some significant injury concerns, and those concerns were exacerbated with even more injuries Sunday night. Here is what the injury report looked like going into the game: 

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Tonight's @Steelers inactives: Dri Archer, Ramon Foster, Landry Jones, Martavis Bryant, B.W. Webb, Daniel McCullers, Wes Johnson

— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) September 21, 2014"

Of this list, the only ones who didn’t play were guard Ramon Foster and wide receiver Martavis Bryant. Wide receiver Lance Moore dressed for the game but only played a single snap. I originally thought this was maybe a setback in warm-ups, but according to Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Mark Kaboly, that wasn’t the case.

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Talked to Lance Moore. He said he wasn't hurt. Just didn't play. Actually, played one snap. Curious.

— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) September 22, 2014"

This situation is certainly something to monitor but not the key concern. In Sunday night’s win, the Steelers lost three key starters to injury, and their seasons are all in question.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

First to go down was rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier. Unfortunately, he was the victim of friendly fire when linebacker Lawrence Timmons rolled up on his leg while making a tackle. After the play, Shazier struggled to get off the field and couldn’t put weight on it. 

Next up was linebacker Jarvis Jones, who suffered an apparent wrist injury later on in the game. I have to go back and see exactly how Jones was injured, but in a game where the Steelers had things in hand, he did not return.

Finally, and most significant, was the injury to cornerback Ike Taylor. This was once again friendly fire and once again an injury inflicted by Timmons. Taylor was making a tackle, and Timmons came in to finish things off and lowered the boom.

Unfortunately, the boom got lowered onto Taylor, resulting in a gruesome broken forearm. I will not be posting a video of the injury here, but a quick Google search should satisfy your curiosity.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Taylor is one tough SOB, and he was totally composed throughout the event.  From the moment it happened until later in the game when he was on the sidelines, you’d never know he’d have been hurt that badly.

Steelers blogger Dejan Kovacevic shared head coach Mike Tomlin’s thoughts on the injuries on Twitter.

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Ike's forearm is broken. Shazier knee injury, Jarvis wrist, and Tomlin kind of lumped them together as 'significant.' Didn't elaborate.

— Dejan Kovacevic (@Dejan_Kovacevic) September 22, 2014"

But, what comes next? Let’s look at each one.

Guard Cody Wallace came in and played well for the injured Foster, perhaps even better than Foster has been the first two games of the season. It is unclear when Foster will return, but until he does, that left guard spot is in good hands.

The wide receiver situation is odd. Moore and Bryant are talented football players, but it was clear Sunday night that Pittsburgh was less about multiple wide receiver packages and more about power football. The Steelers have enough depth at wide receiver and versatility on offense that neither of these two players will need to be rushed back.

Mike McCarn/Associated Press

Shazier’s injury is still being evaluated, but if he has to miss some time, things are in good hands. Some combination of Sean Spence and Terence Garvin would be the solution. In fact, if Shazier has to miss significant time, look for Spence to take the bulk of the reps. His athleticism and speed are comparable to what Shazier brings.

It is a shame that Jones got hurt on what was his best game so far. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, veteran Arthur Moats came in and filled in admirably. Moats is new to this role as a 3-4 pass-rushing outside linebacker, but his motor and strength make him a natural for the position.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Last, but certainly not least, is Taylor’s injury. In all likelihood, Taylor is lost for the year. His loss creates a significant shift in the cornerback depth chart. Veteran William Gay moves from his more natural slot position to a starting role on the outside, and Antwon Blake takes his spot. This creates a mismatch not only for a third wide receiver but in coverage against tight ends as well.

Where all of this really hurts is with Pittsburgh’s depth. Even if the Steelers are confident in guys like Moats and Spence starting, these injuries totally deplete the Steelers’ depth at linebacker and cornerback.

If these are injuries that linger on, look for practice squad guys like linebacker Howard Jones and cornerback Shaquille Richardson to get long looks at the regular roster.