Oct 22, 2014 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – Some say the Steelers were fortunate to come away with a 30-23 victory at Heinz Field over the Houston Texans.

The Texans committed three turnovers and Pittsburgh turned those into 17 points.

This Sunday, their luck might run out – literally.

In quarterback Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts (5-2), the Steelers (4-3) will face their biggest defensive test of the season.

The Colts not only lead the NFL in total passing yards at 329.6 per game, they also have the league’s top-rated offense at 452.9 yards per game.

For a Steelers defense ranked 15th in the NFL, allowing just under 345 yards per game, it’s not a promising prospect.

This won’t be the same as facing Blake Bortles, Brian Hoyer or Ryan Fitzpatrick, the last three quarterbacks the Steelers faced.

“We have to work to minimize Andrew Luck and what he is able to do with his legs and with his arm, and how he administers the offense,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.

Luck is tied with the player he replaced in Indianapolis, Denver’s Peyton Manning, for the NFL lead in touchdown passes with 19.

“He looked pretty good as a rookie. He’s pretty much the same,” Steelers cornerback Brice McCain said of Luck, whom he played twice per year while with the Houston Texans.

“He’s good with his feet. He’s limited the interceptions. He had a problem with that his first couple of years, but he’s doing good handling the ball and throwing to the right people at the right time.”

This season, the right people included running backs and tight ends, who have caught 14 of Luck’s 19 touchdown passes. Backup running back Ahmad Bradshaw leads the team with six touchdown receptions, and tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener combined for eight.

Considering six of the 10 touchdown passes the Steelers allowed were to tight ends and running backs, it looks like a natural mismatch.

“We’ve seen a lot of teams doing that this season,” said Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons. “It’s really not something new. A lot of teams are running screens and things like that in the red zone. We’ll be ready for it.”

One thing that could help the Steelers is the return of rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier.

Shazier missed the past four games with a sprained knee. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday but has a chance to play Sunday.

The fastest of Pittsburgh’s linebackers, Shazier could give the Steelers another player on the second level of the defense who is able to run with Indianapolis’ tight ends and running backs in pass coverage.

“Most of them are checkdowns to the running back out of the backfield,” McCain said. “Everybody else is on their receiver, and Luck will check down to the back.

“They’re being patient and going through all their reads. The running back, if he’s not the first read, he’s probably the last read.”

One player who could help the Steelers with their pass defense this week moved a step closer to returning to the field.

Cornerback Ike Taylor, out the past four weeks with a broken arm, was in uniform for practice Wednesday and did some running and positional work.

Though there is no timetable for his return, Taylor remained steadfast he will back in the lineup sooner rather than later.

“As soon as they clear me,” said Taylor. “I’m just waiting for the doctor’s orders. I’m not surprised. I’m a mutant. I’m the last of a dying breed. It’s just good to be back on the field with the guys. There’s only so much cheerleading you want to do.”

Nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) and right tackle Marcus Gilbert (concussion) did not practice. … Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (elbow), tight end Jack Doyle (knee) and running back Trent Richardson (hamstring) did not practice for the Colts.