Steelers’ improv skills could be tested with offensive line
PITTSBURGH – Necessity can often lead to revelations, particularly in football, where a limited roster can cause coaches to come up with some interesting concepts after injuries hit.
So it was for the Steelers Sunday in their 43-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Safeties Robert Golden and Sean Davis suffered injuries in a loss two weeks ago at Philadelphia. Compounding the issue for the Steelers was the fact Davis is not only Golden’s replacement at strong safety, he also lines up over the slot receiver when Pittsburgh uses five and six defensive backs.
It forced head coach Mike Tomlin and his coaching staff to improvise.
Jordan Dangerfield saw his first NFL action other than on special teams at strong safety. But the Steelers also used nickel and dime packages that shifted cornerbacks William Gay and Ross Cockrell all over the field, including at safety, as Pittsburgh mixed and matched its way through a win against the Chiefs.
There were times when the Steelers used four cornerbacks and just one safety, with Justin Gilbert, who was acquired via a trade with Cleveland a week before the start of the regular season, matching up with Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce.
”You go four corners for coverage matchup ability and acknowledging the issues that a guy like Kelce created,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “We treated him like a wideout in some instances because the tape told us to, and thus the utilization of four corners in some instances.
”It served our needs that day and we weigh those things as we put together a plan week-in and week-out.”
The coaching staff might see its improvisation skills put to the test again this week with the offensive line.
Tomlin said both starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert and his backup, Ryan Harris, are questionable to play when the Steelers host the New York Jets (1-3) Sunday at Heinz Field. Combine that with a line already missing left guard Ramon Foster, who sat out Sunday with a chest injury, and Pittsburgh’s offensive line depth is at nearly critical mass.
”How we manage this and how we utilize the guys who are available to us and how they perform will ultimately define us this week,” Tomlin conceded.
Gilbert suffered an ankle sprain at the end of the first half against the Chiefs and did not return. Harris, the backup at both left and right tackle, has a knee injury. Tomlin said Gilbert is “highly questionable,” while Harris is expected to attempt to practice at some point this week.
If neither can play, guard Chris Hubbard is likely to start at right tackle, not that the Steelers have much choice.
Center/guard Cody Wallace hasn’t played a snap this season because of a knee injury, and backup B.J. Finney made his first career start against the Chiefs in place of Foster.
”He played well in both the passing and running game,” Tomlin said.
”He was awesome, just like we knew he’d be,” said center Maurkice Pouncey.
Hubbard and Finney are two of only five healthy offensive linemen on the roster. This might not be a good time to be missing starters. The Jets have 11 sacks, including seven against Cincinnati in the season opener and allow only 3.1 yards per rushing attempt.
”I think that group is defined by more than sacks. They’re second in the league against the run, in terms of yards per game,” Tomlin said. “They’re second in the league, in yards per attempt. They set a tone that the rest of that defense rides. It starts up front for them. We’re going to have our hands full in the running game and in the passing game.”
Tomlin said Wallace, cornerback Senquez Golson (foot) and wide receiver Eli Rogers (toe) will not play Sunday. … In addition to Foster, Gilbert and Harris, linebackers Ryan Shazier (knee), Jarvis Jones (ankle) and Anthony Chickillo (knee) and Golden (back) are questionable, though Tomlin is confident some will be available. … Davis (back) is expected to play, as is receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, who left the game Sunday with a shoulder injury. … Tomlin said he would like some clarity from the league in terms of what is a penalty for excessive celebrations after receiver Antonio Brown drew his second penalty this season for that infraction against the Chiefs. The Steelers believer other players have gotten away with things for which Brown has been penalized.