It only makes sense that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be in the market for a new inside linebacker. The Steelers have lost Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander, the team’s top players with the most snaps at the position, to season-ending injuries the past two weeks.
But at his November 14 press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin put the kibosh on the idea that his team will look to fill the inside linebacker hole through free agency.
“We’re not looking outside the organization to be quite honest with you as I stand here right now in terms of solutions regarding those issues,” Tomlin told reporters. “Man, we’ve got guys that we’re comfortable with.
“Some of our practice squad guys are there not because they’re developmental players, they’re there because they’re capable players. They’re just readying themselves for an opportunity.”
The practice squad players Tomlin was referring to are Mykal Walker and Tariq Carpenter.
Tomlin stated that Walker will likely be signed to the active roster this week. Carpenter could play in Week 11 too. The Steelers elevated Carpenter from the practice squad for the Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
Currently, the Steelers have two healthy inside linebackers on their active roster — veteran Elandon Roberts and second-year player Mark Robinson.
Holcomb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 9 against the Tennessee Titans. Alexander is also out for the season with a tore Achilles tendon, which he sustained on November 12 versus the Packers.
Steelers Linebackers ‘To Lean on’ Elandon Roberts
The Steelers completely revamped their linebacker corps this past offseason, signing Holcomb, Alexander and Roberts. Essentially, that left the team three starting caliber players for two inside linebacker positions.
Roberts is now the only one left healthy. So, it should come as no surprise that Roberts will be the group’s leader the remainder of the season.
“We’re going to lean on Elandon Roberts,” Tomlin told reporters on November 14. “That’s why we brought him here. He’s a defensive quarterback in mentality. He’s a really good communicator, a really good above-the-neck player. Does a really good job in those areas.
“We haven’t been playing him in some situational or possession down moments. Might expand his role in some of those areas for the benefit of communication and fluidity.”
Leave a Reply