Oct 1, 2016 5 min read

PITTSBURGH – It’s not uncommon for teams in any sport to make major lineup changes following an embarrassing loss.

Typically, however, they are because of performance.

The Steelers, however, will have some new starters in the lineup today when they host the Kansas City Chiefs at Heinz Field, not because of performance, but because of necessity. And in one case, it will be because of the return of a wayward son.

While running back Le’Veon Bell’s return to Pittsburgh’s lineup following a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, the Steelers (2-1) also will have a number of other changes in their lineup for tonight’s game against the Chiefs (2-1) thanks to a number of injuries suffered in a 34-3 defeat at Philadelphia last week.

• B.J. Finney will make his first career start at left guard in place of Ramon Foster, who is out with a chest injury.

• Jordan Dangerfield will do the same at strong safety as both Robert Golden (hamstring) and Sean Davis (back) are out.

• Vince Williams will get the nod at inside linebacker in place of Ryan Shazier, who is out with a knee injury. Williams will be making his 14th career start.

• William Gay will move inside to be the slot corner with Davis unlikely to play any defensive snaps after missing practice most of the week. Rookie Artie Burns will play on the outside in the nickel defense, while Justin Gilbert, acquired in a trade with Cleveland last month, could see his first defensive action as a member of the Steelers when they employ six defensive backs.

• Darrius Heyward-Bey is expected to see an increased role with slot receiver Eli Rogers nursing a toe injury.

It will make for a lot of moving parts for the Steelers, who are 21-7 in prime time games played at Heinz Field since it opened in 2001.

Despite those changes, the Steelers remain confident.

“I’ve got a job to do,” said Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell. “They could put you out there next to me and I’m going to find a way to feel confident about it. I expect you to be a professional and prepare. I expect the same thing for (Dangerfield).”

That was the mantra for the team this week despite suffering its worse loss since Week 2 of the 1989 season when they were trounced, 45-10, at Cincinnati.

That team, which also was beaten 51-0 the week before by Cleveland, rebounded to win 9 of its final 14 games to go to the playoffs.

The current group of Steelers has its sights set higher and wants to erase any lingering thoughts of the ugly loss to the Eagles.

“We’re not looking back, we’re going forward,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. “We’re a 2-1 football team ready to take on a great Kansas City team.”

Great might be a bit of a stretch, but the Chiefs have won 13 of their last 14 regular season games, a streak that began last season with a 23-13 win over the Steelers in a game in which Landry Jones made his first career start in place of an injured Roethlisberger.

Alejandro Villanueva also made his first career start at left tackle in that game for the Steelers, so having some young players in the lineup against Kansas City won’t be something new.

“It’s what they always say around here,” said Dangerfield, “the next-man-up mentality. We know what the expectations are.”

For a player such as Finney, however, it’s a dream come true.

Despite growing up in Kansas, he is a lifelong Steelers fan thanks to his father, who died when he was 13. The former Kansas State star will make his first career start against a team for which some of his family members still root.

“My mom and brother are coming in for the game,” said Finney, who filled in for Foster after he left the game against the Eagles. “My brother still wears a Chiefs jersey.

“But this is a dream come true. I can’t wait.”

The Steelers also can’t wait to see what Bell looks like in his return to play. The fourth-year running back, who hasn’t played in nearly a year after suffering an MCL tear in his knee last Nov. 1 against Cincinnati, adds instant offense to the lineup.

Bell has averaged 119 yards from scrimmage per game since joining the Steelers in 2013, the highest total in the league during that span.

Head coach Mike Tomlin said Bell will be on the field a lot in his return and that’s just fine with Bell, whose last 100-yard game came in the loss to the Chiefs last season.

“He is one of the best in the business at what he does,” said Roethlisberger. “He can block, he can catch, and he can run after catch. I am excited to get him back out there.”

Roethlisberger has 13 touchdown passes in his past four home games and has won his past three starts against Kansas City. … Steelers receiver Antonio Brown has 550 receptions in his first 89 career games. Anquan Boldin had 558 in his first 90 career games, this most in NFL history. … The Steelers lead the all-time series against the Chiefs, 20-10, including 10-4 at home. … Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters leads the NFL with four interceptions.