By Matt Papiernik, @Matt_Papiernik on Twitter
SteelerNation.com
Is it just me, or do the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to have significantly more injuries to key players than they have in years prior? I know the Steelers seem to suffer some key injuries every year, but this year seems like it is worse than usual.
Anyhoo, with all those injuries, multiple have now happened at the same position. This leads to not just a case of next man up, but now even next, next man up. Soon, that could even become next, next, next man up. I know the Steelers have faith in everyone on their roster to step up and fill the void left by injuries, but no team is expected to start their 3rd or 4th player on a depth chart and expect the same level of success.
The first next next man up is one Steelers fans might not know much about, and that is inside linebacker Avery Williamson who will help fill in for the injured Robert Spillane. Williamson was acquired via trade on November 1st along with the New York Jets 2022 7th round pick, in exchange for the Steelers 2022 5th round pick. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
Williamson has a lot of starting experience as he has started 81 games in his seven year career. Williamson has always been a tackling machine, and has greatly exceled in defending the run throughout his career. Due to his success in run defense, there should be very little drop off, if not maybe an improvement, on the early downs while Williamson tries to fill Spillane's shoes over the next few weeks.
However, where Spillane has really exceled this season is in coverage. Since filling in for Devin Bush, Spillane has been one of the better coverage linebackers throughout the league. Williamson has not shown the ability to be that guy to this point in his career, as he has been average in that department. He is also coming off a torn ACL in 2019, so keeping up with opposing tight ends and running backs might be even more of a struggle as he continues to get closer to his pre-injury form.
Overall, Williamson should be a welcomed addition in the run game for the Steelers, but there are some concerns that will need to be addressed in the pass game while he fills in the next few weeks.
The other man that may need to step up due to multiple injuries is cornerback Justin Layne. Layne was drafted by the Steelers in the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft, but he hasn't had a ton of exposure on the Steelers defense until last week when he played his career high in snaps at 28. Layne still has less than 100 career defensive snaps to his name.
Photo via USA Today
Layne was always viewed as a player with immense upside but needed time to develop, as he is a great athlete that is relatively new to the position. He switched from wide receiver to cornerback during the middle of his freshman season at Michigan State.
With Steven Nelson missing last week's game and Joe Haden knocked out during the game with injuries, Layne was thrust into action as the Steelers 2nd outside corner. Layne held his own on the outside and showed he is capable of making some plays when needed. If Haden and Nelson are forced to miss next week's contest against the Buffalo Bills, Layne will again be asked to start opposite Cameron Sutton.
There is no doubt that the Steelers have fought through a lot this year, but some of these compounding injuries at the same position have resulted in the Steelers testing their depth. If anyone can overcome these, it is the Steelers, as they prepare every player like they are going to be starting every week and expect all of them to step up at a moments notice. The ultimate goal is to be healthy come playoff time, so hopefully some of the injured players are able to heal up and get back for a run at number seven!
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