Steelers Defense Finally Getting Healthy Again Just in Time for Stretch Run

The bye week, especially late in the season, allows teams to get healthy during a crucial point in the season. This is most certainly the case for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will get linebacker Ryan Shazier, cornerback Ike Taylor and safety Troy Polamalu back this week. All three will be playing on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

As Taylor said on Monday to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Mike Kaboly, "The timing couldn't be any better."

Shazier and Polamalu have missed the last two games with knee injuries, while Taylor has been working back from a forearm fracture. The Steelers are also anticipating having linebacker Jarvis Jones back at some point soon; he practiced some on Monday, but the team has a 21-day window to activate him from injured reserve-recall, which he was placed on following wrist surgery.

In the trio's absence, the Steelers signed freshly retired linebacker James Harrison, rotated Sean Spence and Vince Williams in Shazier's inside linebacker spot, had Will Allen fill in for Polamalu at safety and tried multiple combinations of cornerback to mitigate Taylor's absence.

The results have been mixed.

Pittsburgh's defense ranks a respectable 13th in total yards per game allowed, at 343.8. It ranks second in third downs allowed per game, at 4.2. However, the Steelers rank 19th in opponent points per game and 13th in opponent red-zone touchdown percentage.

The pass defense is mainly to blame for those two disappointing scoring metrics. While the Steelers defense is a top-10 unit when it comes to stopping the run, it ranks 16th in passing yards per game allowed, at 241.6 and is ranked 28th in opponent pass completion yardage, at 12.0 yards per completion.

Opp. YPG	343.8	Rank	13
Opp. Pass YPG	241.6	Rank	16
Opp. Rush YPG	102.2	Rank	10
Opp. PPG	23.9	Rank	19
Opp. 3rd Down Conv/G	4.2	Rank	2
Sacks/Game	1.8	Rank	25

When Taylor went out with his arm injury, William Gay and Cortez Allen were tapped to be the Steelers' two starting outside cornerbacks. Allen, however, disappointed—he was demoted to slot corner then dropped all the way to the bench, with Brice McCain and Antwon Blake seeing more playing time.

Allen's shortcomings are obvious. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Allen has given up five touchdowns this year, the most of any Steelers cornerback. He was responsible for 552 yards of opposing offense and 107 yards after the catch on 463 snaps played.

However, even Gay, McCain and Blake have had issues. Gay has given up 564 yards of offense, 179 yards after the catch and three touchdowns, with a long reception of 80 yards. All have given up touchdowns, and the cornerbacks group as a whole has just six interceptions among them.

USA TODAY Sports

As Kaboly points out, the Steelers have given up 23 passing plays that have gone 25 or more yards, eight of those for a touchdown. Though Taylor played just 166 snaps before his injury, he didn't give up a passing play longer than 17 yards and had allowed one touchdown. His presence should be a significant upgrade, especially on Sunday against the Saints and their strong vertical-passing game.

The other component of the Steelers passing defense, the pass rush, has also been lacking. But it's unclear if the players returning from injury will help that area out significantly. 

Pittsburgh's sack leaders, at 4.0 apiece, are Harrison and Cameron Heyward. Jones had two before he suffered his injury. Shazier had zero, as did Polamalu, who is well-known for his blitzing abilities. Nose tackle Steve McLendon, who should also come back soon from his shoulder injury, has one sack so far this season.

Opponent	YPG	Rank	Pass YPG	Rank	Rush YPG	Rank	PPG	Rank
vs. NO	433.6	2	308.8	3	124.8	8	26.2	T-8
@ CIN	348.6	15	223.0	22	125.6	7	22.4	14
@ ATL	362.5	12	269.5	7	93.1	26	23.8	12
vs. KC	326.6	23	189.5	31	137.1	4	23.7	13
vs. CIN	348.6	15	223.0	22	125.6	7	22.4	14

This struggle to rush the passer is nothing new to the Steelers, who have dealt with it for the last two seasons as well. While having healthy starters back in the lineup should boost the overall level of play by the defense, it might not do much to increase the team's sack total. In fact, it could taper off further if Jones' eventual return forces Harrison to the sidelines.

Still, there is much to be said for Taylor, Polamalu, Shazier and, down the line, McLendon and Jones all being back on the field. These are, for the most part, experienced players in Dick LeBeau's defense, and all have been given starting jobs (when healthy) for a reason. Their collective 27-game absence has been felt, even if just from a leadership standpoint. 

Health is often the game-changing factor for teams this late in the season, especially seven-win teams like the Steelers that are very much in the playoff hunt. Key players from all over the defense—the secondary, the defensive line, the linebackers—are returning at the perfect time to help separate their team from the rest of the AFC North. 

Though things like pass coverage and rushing the quarterback could still be issues down the stretch, the fewer backups on the field and the less rotating they need to do the more stable the Steelers defense will become. 

With tough contests ahead, the Steelers are likely far happier that their fate will be decided with a defense healthier than it has been all season.