Monday, September 30
Next man up rings strong: The Steelers offensive line has had their share of injuries early in the season, and the news isn't getting any better.
The team already has Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig and Dylan Cook on the Reserve/Injured List, and Isaac Seumalo missed the first four games with a pectoral injury.
Now add guard James Daniels to the list of offensive linemen dealing with an injury. Daniels left Sunday's game against the Colts, and while there is no official word on his status or the extent of the injury from Coach Mike Tomlin yet, fellow guard Spencer Anderson feels for him.
"Obviously, that's devastating news to hear. We knew about it on the sideline already, so we tried to go out there and get the win for him, but came up short," said Anderson. "But as far as moving on, it's the next man up. We have to move on from it. Obviously, it hurts us from a veteran standpoint, given that Isaac and Dan are now the only vets in the room. But we have to grow up fast and be ready whenever our numbers called."
It was Anderson who had his number called when Daniels went down. The plan going into Sunday's game was for rookie Mason McCormick to start at left guard in Seumalo's spot, with Anderson rotating in. Once Daniels went down, Anderson moved into the right guard spot, a position where he lacks experience but felt immediate comfort.
"Somebody asked me (Sunday) how many reps at right guard I had taken before that game," said Anderson. "I don't think I took any really other than camp. I feel more comfortable there. Even Isaac came up to me and said, 'You like right better.' He said you look more comfortable there.
"I thought it was pretty good. I had to adjust on the fly because when James went down, somebody had to fill in,"
Seumalo's status is up in the air heading into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium, something that will likely become much clearer as the week progresses. He was limited in practice all week and downgraded to out on Saturday before the Colts game.
Anderson doesn't know what to expect this week.
"I don't know. I haven't talked to (Isaac)," said Anderson. "I don't know what his availability is, but either way it goes, I've still got to be ready whether he's playing or not.
"I didn't think I was going to be playing right guard. I thought I was going to be in the left guard rotation. But with James going down, I just had to be light on my feet and ready to go."
No matter who is out there on Sunday, there is one thing Anderson knows. The five out there will work.
"The five of us out there are going to get the job done," said Anderson. "We've just got to grow up and do our jobs. Injuries are unfortunate and it's obviously a part of this business, so you just got to keep moving forward.
"Football is a game of attrition. Whoever is the healthiest is going to go out there and produce. You've got to look at it not as adversity, but as an opportunity. And you have to capitalize on every opportunity you get."
The Steelers went into Sunday's game with numbers on their side, the NFL's No. 1 defense through the first three weeks of the season.
But the Indianapolis Colts were able to jump out to a fast 17-0 lead, eventually defeating the Steelers, 27-24. The 27 points allowed were more than what the defense allowed in the first three games combined, when they gave up just 26 total points.
Cornerback Donte Jackson said he was surprised by it, seeing how prepared they felt coming into the game.
But he also knows the preparation was just as strong and meticulous on the other side of the ball.
"We were a prepared group," said Jackson. "We were ready for the challenge, the opportunity. A slow start, it happens. We're not going to lean too much on it.
"But yeah, we were definitely surprised. I'm sure a lot of guys would say that. But it's the NFL. Those guys get paid too. Those guys prepare too. You have to respect that part of the game."
The Colts hurt the defense in an area where they take a lot of pride, third down conversions. The Colts were 8-of-15 on third down, 53.3%, while converting multiple third and long opportunities.
Jackson said they hadn't had a chance to look at the film before he spoke, but it was something they would definitely be focused on.
"We haven't really watched it together yet with the coaches," said Jackson. "But we'll see. I'm sure there's things that we can fix easily. We got a lot of things fixed at halftime.
"Just can't start slow. This is the NFL. These guys prepared too. These guys watch film just like we do. That's part of the game you respect You just have to get to work."
Getting to work this week will be preparing for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, with weapons like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, just to name a few.
"I feel good about it," said Jackson. "We have a good defense. We just have to come in, put the work in this week, and prepare ourselves for a really good offense who has played a lot of ball together.
"That's the main focus. Getting back to work and focusing on us."
Jackson has some experience going against Prescott, facing him when he played for the Carolina Panthers.
He knows what Prescott brings to the table.
"He's a great player," said Jackson. "One of the best quarterbacks in this league. This is a great opportunity for us, for the defense, for this team to go out there and go against a team like that."
And as far as Lamb goes, Jackson has nothing but respect for his game.
"He is definitely a great player," said Jackson. "One of my favorite players to watch on the offensive side of the ball. Production through the roof. Skills through the roof. He's everything. He has everything.
"He means a lot to that offense. He means a lot to that team. Nothing but respect for CeeDee."
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