Steelers to start Harrison
Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones struggled with run containment Sunday against Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said James Harrison will start in place of Jarvis Jones Sunday at Cleveland.
PITTSBURGH – Actions often speak louder than words. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wouldn’t publicly call out any defensive players in the wake of last Sunday’s 35-30 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but his reaction was resounding.
Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones was moved out of the starting rotation in favor of 38-year-old James Harrison, who will now line up opposite Anthony Chickillo. Those two will start when the Steelers (4-5) head to Cleveland (0-10) Sunday in an attempt to snap a four-game losing streak.
“Yeah, as far as the rotation, yeah,” Jones said of the change. “It is what it is. They make a decision for the team. I’m a player. I take all the coaching and let the coaches make a decision. I just play when I get my opportunity.”
Those opportunities might be waning, even though Jones, the first-round draft pick in 2013, had been playing better this season. He was largely to blame for not holding his gap on Ezekiel Elliott’s 32-yard, game-winning touchdown in the closing seconds.
Harrison had been on the field at critical times late in games earlier this season, but Tomlin said Tuesday the decision to have Jones on the field at that time with Chickillo was a coach’s decision.
“I evaluate calls based on the result of the play. The call was structurally sound, but it wasn’t a good call because of the result of the play. It wasn’t executed well because of the result of the play,” Tomlin said. “So you can take from that whatever it is you will. We’ve got to perform better. We can’t allow those plays to be game-deciding, significant plays.”
The Steelers are still searching for more significant plays to be made by their defense, something that might have gotten more difficult with the loss of defensive end Cameron Heyward to a pectoral injury against Dallas.
They have used a rotation at outside linebacker this season – much like last year – with Jones being paired with Chickillo the past four games after earlier playing opposite Moats in the first five games.
But Harrison and Chickillo have provided the team with its most productivity from the outside linebacker position. Harrison has 26 tackles, two sacks, five hurries and an interception, and Chickillo has 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six pressures and two forced fumbles, including one against the Cowboys.
Jones has 36 tackles, three pressures, an interception and a fumble return. The Steelers declined to pick up an option on his contract for next season, meaning he will be a free agent. Jones has produced five sacks in four seasons.
The Steelers are hopeful having Chickillo and Harrison on the field together will provide a more consistent pass rush.
His experience also will be a plus.
“What can’t you learn from the experience he has, how to take care of your body, how he prepares each week,” Chickillo said. “He brings all that to the table. Any time he tells you something, of course, I’m going to listen.”
Tomlin, however, is quick to note Harrison has had trouble with Cleveland’s All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas.
“If you ask me who our best pass rusher is, it depends on when you ask me or the nature of the matchups,” Tomlin said. “All of those are a part of the equation in terms of when we build our rush plan week-in and week-out. James has provided some quality work for us. I like his contributions. Obviously, we will look for those contributions to continue, but you also have to acknowledge their left tackle, Joe Thomas, who has done a heck of a job of blocking James and others over the course of his career.”
Harrison has recorded just 5.5 of his 78.5 career sacks in 21 games against Cleveland. By contrast, he has 9 sacks in 22 games against AFC North rival Cincinnati and 16 in 25 games against Baltimore.
His presence on the field also could help make up for some leadership deficiencies with Heyward out of the lineup.
“He has obviously played in a lot of games and a lot of big games,” said Chickillo. “He’s done it at the highest level he can do it. Having him out there is definitely a plus.”
The Steelers have yet to make a roster move to place Heyward on injured reserve. … In addition to Heyward, receivers Darrius Heyward-Bey (foot) and Markus Wheaton (shoulder), center Maurkice Pouncey (finger), safety Shamarko Thomas (groin) and running back DeAngelo Williams (knee) missed practice. … Receiver Sammie Coates (finger), safety Jordan Dangerfield (groin) and tight ends Ladarius Green (knee) and Xavier Grimble (quad) were limited. … Jones also was fined $18,231 for a horse collar tackle on Dallas running back Alfred Morris. He plans to appeal.