It’s only June, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could still look to build out parts of their roster. But as it stands, there are some positions where the team is better equipped to handle injuries than others.
With training camp a month away and injuries a part of the game, it’s inevitable that guys will get banged up. But when those bumps and bruises become injuries that force players to miss time, that’s where things can get dicey for the Steelers.
Below are four players that the Steelers can’t afford to lose to injury.
AARON RODGERS
The QB2 situation is still unsettled, and I understand it might be intriguing to get some eyes on Will Howard and see what he can do. But losing the starting quarterback isn’t a good thing. The Steelers lost the lone game Rodgers missed last season, a Week 12 battle against the Chicago Bears. Pittsburgh doesn’t have much hope if Rodgers has to miss significant time. While it could help the Steelers get a better evaluation of Howard, even if he winds up QB2, it would most likely sink their chances of winning this year.
JOEY PORTER JR.
I’ve actually been somewhat positive about the team’s depth at cornerback, with Asante Samuel Jr. and Daylen Everette being a solid duo as backup outside corners. But if Porter goes down, the Steelers lose their alpha at cornerback and the player they plan to use to take away No. 1 receivers. Jamel Dean would likely move into the top role, and while he’s solid and a good No. 2, I don’t see him working as the No. 1 week after week.
DARNELL WASHINGTON/PAT FREIERMUTH
Lumping Washington and Freiermuth together here. Tight end is the Steelers’ thinnest position. They did select Riley Nowakowski in the draft, though he’s expected to play fullback, and the options behind Washington and Freiermuth are Robert Tonyan, Jaheim Bell, JJ Galbreath and Lake McRee. Come the start of the season, only one of those players will likely be on the 53-man roster behind Washington and Freiermuth.
With the rise in tight end usage across the league, losing one of those two would be a huge blow for the Steelers. They both provide somewhat different skillsets, Washington functioning as one of the best blockers in the league and Freiermuth a more capable receiver. But they’re equally as important to this team and the lack of depth would be a real issue if an injury struck.
CAMERON HEYWARD
I guess I lied in the headline and we’re looking at five players here. Yes, the Steelers shored up their defensive line depth a little bit this offseason. But Heyward is the anchor and the engine for this group. His effort level never wanes and he’s still far and away the best run defender along the defensive line. There’s no one who can replace Heyward, and Pittsburgh’s defense would be considerably worse if he were sidelined.
Joe Clark
Read More