Sep 29, 2016 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – The old axiom that says defensive players don’t play offense because they can’t catch the football doesn’t apply to Kansas City cornerback Marcus Peters.

The second-year player has quickly thrust his name among the NFL’s top corners, despite having played just 19 regular-season games.

Peters’ inclusion on the league’s list of top cornerbacks is warranted because of his ability to catch.

Peters has an astounding 12 interceptions, including four already this season. Add in the one he had in last season’s playoffs and Peters has 13 interceptions in 21 games.

“He’s a calculated risk-taker, the type of calculated risk-taker that’s required to be great at that position,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said.

“He’s checking off all the boxes, and really, he needs no endorsement from me – his numbers speak for themselves. I think he’s got 12 interceptions in 19 games. That’s incredible.”

To put that into perspective, the Steelers’ starting secondary of Mike Mitchell, Robert Golden, William Gay and Ross Cockrell have 21 career interceptions – in a combined 349 games.

No wonder the Steelers coveted Peters so highly before the draft last year despite the fact he was kicked off the team at the University of Washington in his final season. Kansas City selected Peters with the 18th selection, four picks before the Steelers took linebacker Bud Dupree. And the Chiefs have been counting the interceptions ever since.

“He catches every ball that is thrown his way,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who will lead the Steelers (2-1) against the Chiefs (2-1) Sunday night at Heinz Field.

“What a phenomenal player. Offensive guys always make fun of defensive players – they play defense because they can’t catch. Well, he can catch everything. It hits him in the hands, he catches it. It bounces in the air, he catches it. What a tremendous talent.”

That doesn’t mean the Steelers won’t test Peters, who was targeted more than any cornerback in the NFL last season because he was playing opposite Sean Smith, who signed a 4-year, $40-million contract with Oakland this offseason.

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown often draws the opposing team’s best cornerback in pass coverage, typically with safety help, as well.

He’s been working hard this week to prepare for Peters.

“He’s an aggressive corner,” said Brown. “He covers you, but he’s trying to cover the ball.”

Because of that aggressiveness, Brown has spent extra time this week not only studying Peters, but also himself.

“I’m looking at the tapes to see, for example, if we were in a two-receiver set last week, what routes did I run?” said Brown. “I know that Peters will study that and he’ll take chances on the ball. I’ve got to be smart in being on the same page with Ben, knowing what he expects me to do and knowing what he wants me to do. I know Peters is always going to react to what he’s seen or studied.”

The Steelers lost to the Chiefs in Kansas City, 23-13, last season without Roethlisberger, who was injured. Brown had six receptions for 124 yards. Peters matched up on Brown on occasion. Brown caught four passes on four targets for 99 yards against Peters.

Kansas City’s other starting cornerback, Phillip Gaines, isn’t in Peters’ class as a playmaker. He has no interceptions in 19 games over three seasons. But that doesn’t mean the Steelers will shy away from throwing at Peters, who also has 33 pass defenses in his career, including seven this season.

“If you have guy that just eliminates a side of the field, as an offense you’re kind of stuck,” Roethlisberger said. “So you have to just pick and choose your battles.”

The Steelers placed running back Le’Veon Bell on their active roster Thursday and released running back Darryl Richardson. … Guard B.J. Finney, who was slated to replace injured Ramon Foster (chest) Sunday, suffered a finger injury in practice Thursday. … Linebacker Ryan Shazier (knee), guards Foster and Cody Wallace (knee), safeties Robert Golden (hamstring) and Sean Davis (back), wide receiver Eli Rogers (toe) and cornerback Senquez Golson (foot) all missed practice Thursday. … The Steelers will honor Hall of Fame linebacker Kevin Greene at halftime Sunday.