What Return of Ryan Shazier, Jarvis Jones Means for Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their Week 14 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals with plenty at stake.

At 7-5, the Steelers are in a three-way tie for second (and last) place in the brutal AFC North. The Bengals are the lone team at the top with a record of 8-3-1.

If the Steelers falter here, it will be incredibly difficult to catch Cincinnati down the stretch.

Winning in Cincinnati won't be easy. The Bengals have lost at home just once this season. However, the Steelers definitely have enough offensive firepower to test the Bengals' 21st-ranked defense (364 yards per game allowed).

Where the Steelers may struggle is on defense. Pittsburgh currently ranks 12th in total defense (347.9 yards per game allowed), but injuries have been a major storyline this season.

Injuries are likely to play a role in Sunday's game as well. Cornerback Cortez Allen has been placed on season-ending injured reserve, and linebacker James Harrison is listed as doubtful with a knee injury.

The good news for Pittsburgh is that Week 14 could also see the return of two former first-round draft picks to the heart of the defense.

According to Around the NFL writer Chris Wesseling, rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier is expected to return from a wrist injury, while second-year linebacker Jarvis Jones has been activated from injured reserve and could return as well.

Common sense suggests that the return of two high draft picks would provide a major boost to a unit that is dealing with key injuries at other positions. However, the fact is that both Jones and Shazier have yet to emerge as true defensive playmakers.

Considering he was drafted for his pass-rushing ability, Jones' rookie season was relatively underwhelming (40 tackles, one sack). His start to 2014 before injury was much more promising (14 tackles, two sacks in three games).

Yet Jones' efforts through Week 3 were only good enough to earn him a ranking of 77th overall among 3-4 outside linebackers by Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Against the run, he ranks 73rd at his position.

Shazier, who has appeared in just five games this season, is ranked 60th among 3-4 inside linebackers by Pro Football Focus. Against the run, he ranks 83rd.

The fact that neither Jones nor Shazier is an above-average run defender may lessen the impact of their returns. The Bengals rank ninth in the league in rushing (124.5 yards per game) and will likely lean on the ground game often to keep Ben Roethlisberger and Co. off the field as much as possible.

While it certainly helps to have healthy young bodies this late in the season, the reality is that the potential returns of Jones and Shazier just isn't as big a deal as it may seem at first glance.

The Steelers have fared well without the young duo. The potential for both players to emerge as game-changers is there, of course. Jones and Shazier were first-round picks for a reason. However, if Jones or Shazier are to make an immediate impact, it will likely come from a situational role.

If either player can provide a boost to the pass rush or in coverage, then their presence will be felt. However, their returns aren't going to instantly make this a top-five defense, and they will probably do little to slow the Bengals' ground game.