Depleted by injuries, Steelers sign Harrison
PITTSBURGH – Their depth depleted at cornerback and linebacker following a 37-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday, the Steelers coaxed former All-Pro linebacker James Harrison out of retirement Tuesday, signing him to a one-year deal.
They didn’t have to try the hard sell approach.
Harrison’s retirement lasted just three weeks, as he returned to the team where he was a five-time Pro Bowl player, two-time All-Pro and 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year over 10 seasons.
The 36-year-old Harrison was given his familiar No. 92 – rookie defensive tackle Daniel McCullers will now wear No. 62 – but what he doesn’t have at this time is a defined role when the Steelers (2-1) host Tampa Bay (0-3) Sunday.
“James understands how we desire to play defense. He understands the scheme,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We aren’t going to assume that he is up to speed on the schematics. It’s been over 12 months since he has been a part of us.
“His level of participation will be determined by what he can execute and his conditioning.”
The signing of Harrison, who played for Cincinnati last season after being released by the Steelers following the 2012 season in a cost-cutting measure, was necessitated by three serious injuries suffered in the victory over the Panthers.
Cornerback Ike Taylor suffered a fractured right forearm that required surgery Monday. He is out indefinitely but will not be placed on season-ending injured reserve yet.
Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones had a wrist injury that also required surgery. He was placed on the injured reserve/designation return list, meaning he is eligible to return in eight weeks.
And inside linebacker Ryan Shazier sprained his MCL ligament in his right knee, an injury that will sideline him for two to three weeks.
Harrison was signed to help provide depth at outside linebacker, where Arthur Moats will replace Jones.
Sean Spence is expected to move into the starting lineup at inside linebacker until Shazier returns.
Replacing Taylor, however, will be difficult.
On Sunday, nickel corner William Gay moved to the outside in the base defense, but went back to his slot position on passing downs. That moved 5-9 Antwon Blake into the lineup on the outside.
Tomlin said Moats and Spence will be the starters at linebacker but wouldn’t commit to using that same rotation at cornerback.
“We’ve got some viable guys,” said Tomlin. “It happened to be Antwon Blake in the game because he was the next guy up in the game, but we’re not discounting what (Brice) McCain is capable of. We’re not discounting what B.W. Webb is capable of.
“We’ll let those guys sort themselves out on the practice field.”
They’ll be watching Harrison closely at practice as well.
Harrison was a part-time player last season in Cincinnati’s 4-3 defense as a strong-side linebacker, recording 30 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
After being released by the Bengals following the season, he visited Arizona and the Steelers before officially announcing his retirement three weeks ago.
“James is the type of guy who takes great pride in his workouts and great pride in his conditioning over a 12-month period,” Tomlin said. “We’re going to see where he is and let that guide us.”
Harrison recorded 64 sacks with the Steelers from 2002 through 2012, 60 of which came after Tomlin was hired as head coach and elevated Harrison to a starter following the release of Joey Porter in 2007. Interestingly, Porter was hired as an assistant coach by Tomlin this year.
Harrison’s best season came in 2008, when he recorded a team-record 16 sacks and forced seven fumbles en route to being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.
“I just think it’s going to be great for that defense,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said in a radio interview Tuesday. “I know he’s still got it in the tank because I know how hard James works. I’m excited to have him back.”
But Harrison also was arrested for a domestic violence incident prior to that season, and the Steelers did not punish him. The charges were dropped a month later. With domestic violence being a hot topic in the NFL, Tomlin was asked if he was concerned with signing Harrison because of it.
“It’s been seven years and it’s a different climate,” Tomlin said. “Knowing James over seven or eight years, he’s grown a lot, as has his lady. I don’t anticipate that being an issue at all moving forward.”
Odds and end zones
Tomlin said running back Dri Archer (ankle) and guard Ramon Foster (ankle) could return this week. Archer has missed the past two games, while Foster sat out against the Panthers. … The Steelers rank fifth in the NFL in total offense at 419.3 yards per game and 12th in scoring at 24.3 points per game. … The Steelers lead the NFL in rushing at 163.3 yards per game and yards per carry at 6.0.