Through two games with the Steelers inside linebacker Patrick Queen has produced six tackles and nothing that could be accurately identified as a splash play, but defensive coordinator Teryl Austin isn't complaining.
Quite the opposite, actually.
"'P.Q.' is doing everything we ask him to do," Austin maintained today.
Queen, to a degree, is a victim of circumstance.
Not much has been getting to the second level because of the way the Steelers have been playing up front.
And the offense has possessed the ball for more than 30 minutes in each of the Steelers' season-opening victories at Atlanta and at Denver (35:36 against the Falcons and 32:19 against the Broncos).
Queen's closest encounter with a splash play to date was the pass he knocked down on first-and-10 from the Denver 31-yard line with 8:43 left in the fourth quarter last Sunday in Denver.
The Steelers prepare for the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (38) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end/fullback Connor Heyward (83) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Beanie Bishop Jr. (31) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Jack Colletto (45) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Darnell Washington (80) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig (51) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre (42) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Harper (40) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Adetokunbo Ogundeji (48) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Mark Robinson (93) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels (78) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson (84) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman James Daniels (78) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III (19) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier (54) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. (65) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) during practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex preparing for a Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers)
It was almost an interception, but Queen ultimately had to settle for a pass defensed.
"Those plays will come," Austin emphasized. "(Head coach) Mike (Tomlin) always talks about doing the little things right and making the ordinary play and the splash will come. I think that's all (Queen is) doing right now. His splash will come. He's been great in terms of leading our defense and doing those things.
"And I think our line's playing really well right now. That doesn't leave a lot of shots and there's not a lot of snaps."
Queen hasn't missed a defensive snap (117 for 117) through the first two games.
His six tackles rank seventh among Steelers.
Fellow newcomers DeShon Elliott, at safety, and Donte Jackson, cornerback, have also assimilated quickly, in Austin's estimation.
Both have an interception and a tackle for a loss in the early going.
"They've seen our football," Austin said. "Obviously, DeShon was in our division (in Baltimore) but guys have seen us and they kind of know what we're doing so there's no surprises in terms of how we execute. As they come in it's easier for them to fit in.
"I think they've all fit in well with what we try to do and what we do scheme-wise. I think that's why you kind of feel the impact of the new guys so far."
Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also hasn't missed a defensive snap.
And the rest of the regulars have been playing well enough and infrequently enough that some of the rotational players haven't had much of a chance to rotate into the games.
Defensive end DeMarvin Leal, who emerged from training camp looking like a capable option at multiple positions in the front seven, has played just nine defensive snaps, so far.
"We have guys that are able to get out there are able to play at a high level so we haven't had to use our substitutions as much," Austin said. "At some point we're gonna need them and we're gonna use them.
"It's just a matter of the attrition of the NFL."
