When speaking Thursday about who would replace the out-for-the-season Chris Wormley on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin listed a cadre of players with two or fewer accrued seasons of NFL experience.
A few minutes later, though, Austin demurred when asked if the Steelers might be more willing and eager to give younger players more playing time as auditions as this season winds down.
“No,” Austin said. “No, we’re in the business of trying to win a game. I’m not in the business of trying to see who’s up for next year’s varsity squad. I want guys right now that can help us win a game, because our job is to win games now. And that’s the only way I’ll coach.”
At 5-8, the Steelers’ playoff hopes are on life support. They could be eliminated as soon as Sunday with a defeat at the Carolina Panthers coupled by other results across the AFC. That’s a rarity for an organization that has played only one “meaningless” game (defined as a regular-season outing that began with the Steelers already eliminated from playoff contention) since Mike Tomlin was hired as coach in 2007.
Isaiahh Loudermilk, DeMarvin Leal, Carlos Davis and recent acquisition Jonathan Marshall figure to be among those whose playing time will increase now that six-year veteran Wormley is on the injured reserve list and will have surgery on his left knee.
But aside from the defensive line, there aren’t too many young players on defense who have potential ceilings higher than what has already been shown and might benefit from a virtual audition over the Steelers’ final four games of 2022. Defensive back Tre Norwood and rookie inside linebacker Mark Robinson might be the only names who qualify.
As things stand now, the Steelers would be in line to have the No. 13 overall pick in next year’s draft.
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