Run defense expects to be tested often when Steelers face top-ranked Browns

The Pittsburgh Steelers used the bye week to identify the reason they had a season-high 14 missed tackles in their most recent game.

They are using this week of practice to make fundamental adjustments as they prepare to face the NFL’s most prolific rushing offense.

They will use their game Sunday at Cleveland to gauge their progression.

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler is aware that what takes place this week at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex matters little if the improvements are not amplified over the course of 60 minutes at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

“It’s not live until Sunday,” Butler said Thursday. “We can think we can pat ourselves on the back (and say), ‘Oh, OK, we got that covered.’ No, we don’t know until we start playing. We’ve got to get off blocks, and we’ve got to put bodies on the ball carrier.

“We’ve got to do that.”

The Steelers didn’t do that in the second half against Seattle on Oct. 17 at Heinz Field. After halftime, the defense permitted 126 of a season-high 144 rushing yards allowed, which enabled the Seahawks to overcome a 14-point deficit, tie the score and force overtime.

The run-stop issue will be magnified Sunday against the Browns, who are averaging an NFL-high 170.4 rushing yards per game. The Browns’ success running the ball is such that No. 3 running back D’Ernest Jackson, starting because of injuries to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, rushed for 146 yards and a touchdown in Cleveland’s 17-14 victory against Denver that occurred while the Steelers were on their bye.

Hunt remains on injured reserve, but Chubb is expected to return from a two-game absence and play against the Steelers. In the five games he has dressed, Chubb has rushed for 523 yards, which is fourth in the NFL. He leads all AFC running backs by averaging 5.8 yards per carry.

“They are strong, especially Chubb, who has got real strong legs,” Butler said. “We’re going to have to put bodies on him. We’re going to have to get off blocks, fundamental stuff to football.”

The Steelers used Wednesday’s practice to put on the pads and work on those fundamentals.

“It’s wrap up, get the eyes up, stuff like that,” said free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whose eight missed tackles are a team high. “I don’t think it’s much of an issue. We have to keep working on it and put ourselves in a good position to the ball.”

Complicating matters for the Steelers is Cleveland is expected to have all five of its starting offensive lineman on the field for the first time in three games. Tackle Jack Conklin, a former first-round pick of the Tennessee Titans, will return from a two-game absence. He and 2020 first-rounder Jedrick Wills form bookends of a line that includes veterans J.C. Tretter at center and Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller at guard.

Speaking of Chubb and the line, Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward said, “You put those two together, it’s a match made in heaven.”

“They finish. They’re road graders,” he added about the offensive line. “We are going to have our work cut out for us, but we look forward to it.”

The Seahawks exploited the Steelers’ nickel and dime defense in the second half, which could lead to Butler using more 3-4 base formations against the Browns. The problem is, given injuries to Tyson Alualu and Stephon Tuitt, the Steelers lack depth on the line behind Heyward.

“They try to find a weakness in your front,” Butler said. “They try to get you out of your gap. They are counting on one of the three interior guys not to get into his gap. You have to play eight-man fronts against these guys to make sure they don’t run the ball and be effective.”

Stopping the run also is the responsibility of inside linebackers Devin Bush, who is a year removed from ACL surgery, and Joe Schobert, who is in his second month learning the Steelers system.

“The quality of their play could be better, but so could the play in front of them,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Together, we eat or do not. It’s a collective thing.”