Mike Tomlin is happy to see what the Pittsburgh Steelers’ follow squad cross rushers have to supply. The fan base in all probability isn’t fairly as thrilled. Lacking three of the crew’s high 4 EDGE rushers in Nick Herbig, Alex Highsmith, and DeMarvin Leal, the Steelers should discover new faces to fill these footwear for his or her Sunday recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Throughout his weekly press convention, Tomlin stated it’ll be a giant week for many who have been engaged on the scout-team protection.
“I’m enthusiastic about persevering with with that strategic course of with our workers,” Tomlin stated through the Steelers’ YouTube channel Tuesday. “After which the bodily preparation course of with some guys tomorrow. Man, it’s a giant day perhaps for some edge rushers like [Adetokunbo Ogundeji and Eku Leota], who simply bought right here. Perhaps one or two of these guys will get a chance to raise and be a element of our plans this week.”
Herbig is out with a hamstring harm suffered within the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Highsmith shall be out for his third-straight recreation after aggravating a coaching camp groin harm through the Steelers’ Week 3 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. And Leal suffered a stinger/neck harm within the fourth quarter of the Cowboys recreation, leaving the crew with solely Jeremiah Moon and T.J. Watt because the crew’s out there outdoors linebackers to complete the sport.
And so Pittsburgh turns to the follow squad. Ogundeji was signed to the Steelers’ follow squad on Aug. 30. Removed from a family identify, he has NFL expertise. A fifth-round choose from Notre Dame drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, Ogundeji – greatest often known as “Ade” – made 27 begins for the Falcons throughout his first two seasons. His manufacturing was mild with three sacks, however he has over 1,000 profession defensive snaps. A 2023 harm price him all the season and the Falcons launched him at last cutdowns this summer time earlier than the Steelers scooped him up. Our scouting report soured on his athleticism however praised his run protection.
Leota was signed precisely one week in the past as depth following Highsmith’s harm. Our pre-draft scouting report in contrast him to Highsmith and noticed traits that may translate to Pittsburgh’s system. He additionally brings NFL expertise, although to not the diploma of Ogundeji. Undrafted in 2023, Leota’s appeared in 10 video games, together with two this season with the Carolina Panthers. He picked up a sack earlier than being lower by Carolina.
The Steelers’ job is to get them prepared once more.
“Oftentimes I say there’s a fantastic line between being a follow squader and a Professional Bowler,” Tomlin stated. “And typically it’s simply alternative. And so we’ll lean in on the week with that spirit.”
Tomlin additionally stated that DL Isaiahh Loudermilk is into consideration to play EDGE snaps. Like Leal, he gives some versatility although not the athleticism that made Leal a extra engaging possibility. Pittsburgh may have by Saturday at 4 PM/EST to determine who shall be elevated from the follow squad and make their Steelers debut versus the Raiders.
It’s removed from ideally suited however the NFL isn’t about equity or perfection. Yearly, some place group will get rocked with accidents. Final yr, it was inside linebacker and security. This yr, it’s the EDGE rushers. That’s particularly troubling contemplating that place is the engine of the Steelers’ protection, the unit that makes it go. As we famous this morning, Pittsburgh should give you a unique and sure blitz-heavy method to convey strain.
The excellent news is there’s nonetheless T.J. Watt. The dangerous information is there isn’t a lot else.
