Evaluating Pittsburgh Steelers' Injury Situation Entering Week 4
After a relatively healthy offseason and training camp, the injury bug hit the Pittsburgh Steelers hard last week. Three defensive starters left the game with significant injuries, which may keep them out of the lineup through the end of October.
Dick LeBeau understands that he will face a significant challenge as he attempts to replace Ike Taylor, Ryan Shazier and Jarvis Jones in the starting lineup. However, he feels confident in the depth available at each position, per Mike Prisuta of Steelers.com.
“We’re fortunate that we have some good people behind them,” LeBeau said. “We’ll have to adjust. It won’t be the only game during the season that this situation will arise, I’m sure of that.”
William Gay, Sean Spence, Arthur Moats and the newly signed James Harrison are several of the names that you can expect to see in the lineup as they try to live up to Mike Tomlin’s "next man up" mentality.
Injuries are a part of the game, and the Steelers are not prepared to use them as an excuse. As Tomlin often says, “The standard is the standard,” and all of those ready to step in must have this mindset.
“That is the mentality we have around here, no matter who is in the game, the standard is the standard,” Spence told Teresa Varley of Steelers.com. “That is what Coach Tomlin preaches and we have to go out there and give the man what he wants.”
With three defensive starters out and a couple of offensive players banged up, the Steelers have a lot to overcome as they are set to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Heinz Field on Sunday. Here is what you can expect on the injury front as Week 4 approaches.
Ramon Foster, Guard
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After missing last week with an ankle injury, Ramon Foster participated in two straight practices and expects to return to the starting lineup on Sunday, per Scott Brown of ESPN.com.
Foster is one of the most dependable linemen on the Steelers roster with only four starts missed since 2011, but they did not miss him much last week. With Cody Wallace starting at left guard, the offense rushed for a season-high 268 yards with an average of 7.8 yards per carry.
On the season, Pittsburgh’s offense boasts the best rushing attack in the league with 490 yards and an average of 6.0 yards per carry. Foster was a significant part of this attack over the first two weeks of the season.
In addition to his run blocking, Foster is solid in pass protection, with only one sack allowed, per the The Washington Post. His presence should only aid the offensive line as it continues to develop under the guidance of Mike Munchak.
Dri Archer, Running Back/Wide Receiver
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Dri Archer demonstrated that he could be an electric playmaker during the preseason with his big plays in the passing game. It appeared as though he would continue this trend into the regular season; however, a sprained ankle suffered against the Cleveland Browns has kept him on the sidelines since the opener.
Archer was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday and is on track to get back onto the field against Tampa Bay.
As much as Todd Haley would love to get the ball in Archer’s hands and take advantage of his speed, he has to stick with the hot hand, and that belongs to Le’Veon Bell at running back and Antonio Brown at receiver.
Pittsburgh’s offense found a formula that works—and works very well—last week against the Panthers, and it does not need to get too tricky with the offense by manufacturing touches for Archer. Instead, expect him to play a limited role and contribute as a receiver on a few short passing plays and maybe a reverse.
Ike Taylor, Cornerback
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Already thin on the cornerback depth chart, the Steelers got even thinner when Ike Taylor suffered a gruesome arm injury against Carolina. The injury occurred when Lawrence Timmons’ helmet collided with Taylor’s arm as the two tackled Panthers’ receiver Kelvin Benjamin.
Taylor will miss six to eight weeks, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. That leaves a gaping hole in the starting lineup.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, William Gay will enter the starting lineup and Antwon Blake will take over at nickel. With 17 defensive plays against Carolina, he nearly doubled his career total of nine snaps.
Between his lack of experience and lack of size—he is just 5’9”—Blake will have problems matching up against tall, physical receivers. Instead, the Steelers may be better off moving Gay to the outside, even though he is one of the top nickel cornerbacks in the league, per Ian Wharton of Bleacher Report.
As an alternative, Kaboly suggests that Brice McCain is the best option to replace Gay in the nickel. He has good speed and plenty of experience with 74 games played for the Houston Texans.
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Ryan Shazier, Inside Linebacker
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The Steelers believe that Ryan Shazier will be a special player, and he showed the coaching staff very early that he could play in the NFL. That is why they made the rare decision to start him in LeBeau’s defense as a rookie.
Shazier suffered a knee sprain when Timmons rolled on it against Carolina and will miss at least one game, per Brown of ESPN.com. While he hasn’t developed into an explosive playmaker yet, his speed will be missed on the field.
Unlike last year when losing a starting inside linebacker meant significant trouble for the defense, the Steelers have a very good replacement in Spence. Besides his talent and ability to play the position, there may not be a better story in the NFL this year.
Spence will make his first career start on Sunday, and this will represent the end of a long road to recovery from a knee injury that possibly could have ended his career.
"It's a blessing," Spence told Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "God is good. I've been through a lot of things. The tunnel was dark for me for a long time, but I stayed positive. Steeler Nation stayed behind me."
Spence has the speed to drop into coverage and the instincts to be effective against the run. But beyond any of his physical attributes, he will be on an emotional high as his long journey back onto the playing field will be complete.
Jarvis Jones, Outside Linebacker
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Jarvis Jones is often the subject of criticism in Pittsburgh for the lack of big plays that he produces. When he finally forced a fumble, he left the game with an injured wrist, which required surgery and a placement on the injured reserve/designated for return list, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
With Jones out for at least eight weeks, per Brown, the Steelers will lean on Moats to take over at right outside linebacker.
Moats was signed in the offseason to upgrade the depth at outside linebacker, and that is exactly what he did. Unlike Chris Carter, Moats has shown the ability to make plays. In limited action against Carolina, he had two tackles and one sack.
Of course, the big story at outside linebacker is the return of James Harrison. He will not be a significant part of the defense but instead can contribute a limited number of snaps per game in certain situations. Even as his career nears an end, he is incredibly strong and will be an element rushing the quarterback and stopping the run.
Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes that Harrison will play no more than 12 to 15 snaps but can make an impact. He will have the opportunity to face Anthony Collins, who has struggled in pass protection this year.
Even if Harrison doesn’t start, his knowledge of the defense and demeanor will add a presence in the locker room and add a much-needed edge to the defense.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, all stats are courtesy of ESPN.com and all roster information is courtesy of Steelers.com.
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