Sep 15, 2015 3 min read

PITTSBURGH – When the Steelers re-signed 37-year-old James Harrison in the offseason, it was with the idea that he would be on a “pitch count.”

Outside linebackers coach Joey Porter said at the draft, when the Steelers selected linebacker Bud Dupree in the first round, that he spoke with Harrison about playing only 20 to 25 snaps per game. And the Steelers appeared ready to stick to that plan throughout training camp and the preseason. They limited Harrison’s snaps and played him in a rotation with Dupree behind starters Arthur Moats and Jarvis Jones.

In Pittsburgh’s 28-21 loss Thursday at New England, it was Harrison who led the group in plays with 36, 10 more than Jones, who started at right outside linebacker. Dupree had 26 plays and Moats, who started at left outside linebacker, had 20.

So much for limiting Harrison’s playing time.

“We were happy with how it worked out. We didn’t count reps,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. “All four of those guys are going to play.”

The key for the Steelers is which players are making the biggest impact.

While Jones was active as a pass rusher, he failed to record a sack and was credited with assisting on one tackle. Moats did not make a tackle.

Harrison, meanwhile, had four tackles. Dupree had two tackles and a sack, though he did blow a pass coverage that led to a 52-yard catch-and-run by tight end Rob Gronkowski that was the biggest play allowed by the Steelers.

Figuring out the right mix for those linebackers will be critical, especially Sunday when the Steelers host San Francisco and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, one of the most elusive players in the league.

In San Francisco’s 20-3 win Monday night over Minnesota, Kaepernick threw for 165 yards and also ran seven times for 41 yards, converting several third downs by scrambling.

One of the main jobs for the Steelers’ outside linebackers will be keeping Kaepernick in the pocket.

“Colin Kaepernick’s mobility is obviously something that is going to be an issue for us,” Tomlin conceded. “It’s something that we have to work to minimize. This guy can create issues for you from a designed-run standpoint but also his ability to improvise as plays break down and he finds escape lanes. … If you want to win third downs, then you have to do so structurally, but you also have to be able to minimize his impact in terms of him pulling the ball down and running.

“We have to be great in rushing coverage, and more importantly rush-lane integrity to minimize those escape lanes.”

A veteran player such as Harrison could be better at doing that, though he doesn’t possess the speed to chase down Kaepernick.

The Steelers could rely on inside linebacker Ryan Shazier to shadow Kaepernick, though that would affect their pass coverage. It will be part of the cat-and-mouse game they will play with the 49ers.

Regardless of what the Steelers try, it appears Porter’s pronouncement that Harrison would be on a strict snap count is not the case.

“I think his total probably is going to be more reflective on how many snaps we play collectively,” Tomlin said.

When asked why cornerback Brandon Boykin did not play against the Patriots, Tomlin simply replied, “We chose to play other people.” Tomlin did, however, confirm that Boykin, who was as the Steelers’ nickel cornerback in practice Monday, is under strong consideration for playing time this week. … The new depth chart lists Cortez Allen and Antwon Blake as the starting right cornerback. Blake started last week.