Steelers Turn to James Harrison, Defensive Depth to Overcome Rash of Injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers overcame the Carolina Panthers on Sunday night with a 37-19 victory, aided greatly by a defensive performance that resembled that of its Super Bowl-caliber recent past. However, they did not escape unscathed.

A trio of injuries to defensive starters has sent the team looking for solutions. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 2014 first-round draft pick linebacker Ryan Shazier has a sprained MCL, 2013 first-round draft pick linebacker Jarvis Jones needs surgery on his wrist and cornerback Ike Taylor has a broken arm.

Shazier is expected back in a few weeks. Jones was placed on the injured reserve-recall list and will be shelved for at least two months. Taylor's timetable to return is unknown, and he could potentially be done for the season.

In the interim, the Steelers need to find players to fill the voids left by these three injuries. 

Against Carolina, the Steelers used Arthur Moats in Jones' place, Sean Spence in Shazier's and a combination of Antwon Blake and William Gay at Taylor's right cornerback position. This will mostly remain the same while the three are recovering.

There is one difference, however: The Steelers brought back outside linebacker James Harrison on Tuesday.

Harrison, who retired from football less than a month ago, will jump into Jones' spot, likely rotating with Moats.

Though the 36-year old Harrison won't be a Pro Bowler when the season is done, the signing makes sense. This isn't March, or May or even August. There are no free-agent outside linebackers familiar with the Steelers' complex defensive system and no time to train one on its nuances. Harrison knows what to do, and that's what the Steelers need most in this situation.

"We know James. James knows us," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday after announcing Harrison's signing. "James understands the schemes. We're going to do what he's capable of handling from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint."

Jones heads to IR-reserve as the Steelers' sack leader, with two, and had 14 combined tackles and a forced fumble before his injury. However, Moats also has a sack this season, as well as four tackles on just 42 snaps played according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). It appears that Harrison and Moats can hold down the fort for the next two (or more) months.

Spence replacing Shazier at inside linebacker also appears to be a non-issue. Spence, a Steelers' 2012 third-round draft pick, suffered a severe knee injury in the preseason of his rookie year, putting his football career in jeopardy. However, after two years, he's rehabilitated and 100 percent healthy.

In fact, Spence shined in the preseason, and had a start against the New York Giants owing to Shazier's summer knee injury. He had four tackles in relief of Shazier on Sunday night and has six on the season. Vince Williams will also be in the running to start in place of Shazier, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday (via Bob Labriola of Steelers Digest).

Williams started 11 games last season after Larry Foote was placed on injured reserve with a ruptured bicep and had 53 combined tackles and four tackles for a loss. It's possible that both Spence—who has plus speed and an ability to work in coverage—will share time with the more straightforward Williams depending on the down and situation.

Shazier's injury to his MCL appears to be less severe than first thought, though he will miss Week 4's contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Spence and Williams may not be needed for fill-in duty for long.

The injury to Taylor, however, will likely require a longer replacement. On Sunday, Blake stepped in, as did Gay, who primarily had been working as the Steelers' nickel cornerback. Blake has little experience, having played only five defensive snaps in 2013, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), and doing most of his work on special teams. Blake, however, did record a tackle on Sunday after Taylor's injury.

Because the Steelers are relatively thin at the cornerback position, Blake and Gay will likely both be working in the slot and on the outside, rotating as needed. Gay was Pro Football Focus' ninth-ranked cornerback in 2013, giving up just 52 receptions on 89 targets thrown his direction, for 493 yards and 205 yards after the catch. He allowed only one touchdown, and had an interception and five passes defensed on the season.

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In contrast, Taylor ranked 98th (out of 110) in 2013, giving up 71 catches on 113 targets for 1,043 yards. While he had 12 passes defensed, he didn't have a single interception and gave up six touchdowns on the year. And through three games this year, Taylor ranks 83rd out of 96 cornerbacks, having given up seven catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Though his veteran presence will be missed, Taylor not being on the field might be of help to Pittsburgh's secondary. That, however, rests on how the relatively unknown and inexperienced Blake can handle full-time work at corner.

Though the Steelers have some depth issues now that three defensive starters will be out for an extended period of time, they do appear to have enough talent to replace Jones, Taylor and Shazier, especially after bringing back Harrison. The Steelers seem able to maintain continuity on defense despite being forced into a major and unexpected overhaul of the depth chart.