DETROIT — Already experiencing attrition at cornerback, the Pittsburgh Steelers lost another during Sunday’s win at the Detroit Lions.
Brandin Echols did not play the second half of the 29-24 victory because of a groin injury. The Steelers entered the game without fill-in starting cornerback James Pierre (calf), so they finished it with a modified secondary that included Jalen Ramsey moving from safety to the nickel/slot and Chuck Clark filling in at safety.
Asante Samuel Jr. made his second start for the Steelers at outside cornerback opposite Joey Porter Jr. Porter at one point during the fourth quarter left the game because of an undisclosed ailment but he returned before it ended.
Also injured during the game was wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who suffered a hamstring injury during the third quarter. Scotty Miller received additional reps the rest of the game, often running routes out of the slot where Austin often plays.
With respect to injuries, Echols and Austin were the only players mentioned by coach Mike Tomlin postgame.
“I’m sure it’s a larger list of other (players) when you’re in a game like that,” he said. “But we’ll put together a plan and divide the labor up next week. We’ll deal with next week, next week.”
Tomlin added that he was requiring the players to come in to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Monday, eschewing his typical late-season protocol of giving players the day off in the day after a victory.
“We ain’t got time for ‘Victory Mondays,’” Tomlin said, “and that’s what I told the team.”
