Isaiahh Loudermilk making most of unexpected opportunity as rookie for Steelers

With the other two veteran starters at his position out longterm because of injury, Cameron Heyward is often playing alongside inexperienced players this season.

Heyward is a two-time first-team NFL All Pro. To show how often, for example, Isaiahh Loudermilk is playing as a rookie, consider that Loudermilk (a fifth-round pick) is on pace to get roughly as many defensive snaps in his first season that Heyward (a 2011 first-rounder) did.

“When I first got drafted I didn’t know what my playing time would be, what my role would be,” said Loudermilk, for whom the Steelers actively sought in trading a 2022 pick to select him at No. 156 overall in April. “I just kind of came in open-minded — whatever got thrown at me, I was going to be prepared for it.

“Having these snaps, I am extremely happy I get those. … I am going to try to make the most of it.”

Isaiahh Loudermilk’s size was one of the traits that enticed the Steelers to swing a trade on the third day of the NFL Draft.https://t.co/uit0WTmpkQ

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 23, 2021

Loudemilk is averaging almost 13 snaps played per game since making his NFL debut in Week 2. He has five tackles, a pass defended and was credited with his first career sack during last week’s win at Cleveland. (Even though it was just a function of being closest to Baker Mayfield when the latter ran out of bounds for no gain, consider it karma because Loudermilk had a sack taken off the board earlier this season because of penalty).

While his statistical production is sparse, in more subjective ways Loudermilk is making himself noticed. He clearly hasn’t appeared out of place of in over his head so far as a rookie, and Pro Football Focus even graded him as the Steelers’ sixth-best defender (among the 20 that played) against the Browns.

“We like the way he he’s coming along,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said.

“Hopefully, he can continue to get better.”

Heyward (the No. 31 pick a decade ago) knows first-hand how the Steelers tend to baby their rookie defensive linemen — he didn’t start a game until his third season.

“It’s a tough ask,” Heyward said of asking Loudermilk to contribute as a rookie, “but I think his shoulders can hold up. … We’ve got guys down, and he’s doing a great job. Comes in every day, learning, practicing hard, using his hands. And we are going to need him.”

Loudermilk might have been a healthy scratch all season if not for injuries to Stephon Tuitt, Tyson Alualu and Carlos Davis. All three are on injured reserve and have combined for just three games this season after beginning it as three of the Steelers’ top six defensive linemen.

“As more snaps have been coming my way, I am kind of seeing things a little bit better,” Loudermilk said. “And practice has been helping a lot, too. So, each week I go out there I feel a little but more confident.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.