With Stephon Tuitt out, Javon Hargrave 'answering the bell' for Steelers defense

When Stephon Tuitt was lost to a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 6, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said replacing the hulking defensive end would require a collaborative effort.

That message apparently didn’t get through to Javon Hargrave.

It wouldn’t be entirely accurate to say Hargrave singlehandedly has stepped up and filled the void created when Tuitt was injured in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tyson Alualu and rookie Isaiah Buggs have taken reps in the defensive line rotation.

But suggesting Hargrave has made the biggest impact at defensive end since Tuitt’s departure wouldn’t be far from the truth, either.

Taking advantage of increased playing time at end instead of his customary nose tackle spot, Hargrave has made Tuitt’s absence negligible, and Hargrave’s play up front has helped spark a defensive resurgence for the 7-5 Steelers.

“He’s done a good job for us,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Thursday. “He’s been hard to block in a lot of ways, and he’s playing some good football for us right now.”

Hargrave finished tied for second on the team with six tackles last Sunday in the Steelers’ 20-13 victory against the Cleveland Browns, and his sack of Baker Mayfield in the fourth quarter pushed the Browns out of field-goal range.

The previous time the Steelers played at Heinz Field, Hargrave had seven tackles, one sack and a forced fumble Minkah Fitzpatrick returned for a touchdown late in the first half. It gave the Steelers a 14-7 lead en route to a 17-12 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

“I thought he had three or four really good rushes to end that game, and then in Browns game, to push that out of field-goal territory was critical,” defensive end Cameron Heyward said. “I know he doesn’t get a lot of rushes, but when he does, he’s capable of winning each one.”

Playing on a defensive front that includes Heyward and Tuitt, Hargrave tends to get overlooked as a pass-rusher. Yet, despite Hargrave being credited with four sacks this year, Pro Football Focus ranks him as the NFL’s No. 6 pass rusher among interior defensive linemen in pass-rush productivity. It’s a formula that weighs sacks, hits and hurries against the number of times a player rushes the quarterback.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth in him as a pass-rusher, being able to win his one-on-one matchups,” said defensive lineman Tyson Alualu, who is in his third season with the Steelers. “Before I came here, he was very stout against the run, especially playing nose. With the more opportunities he’s been given, he’s been rushing pretty well.”

In the first five games of the season, when Tuitt was in the lineup, Hargrave had two sacks, 12 tackles and two tackles for loss while playing more than 50% of the defensive snaps just once.

Beginning in Week 6, with Tuitt’s early exit against the Chargers, Hargrave has two sacks, 33 tackles, five tackles for a loss, and he has averaged nearly 70% of all defensive snaps.

“You know, he’s been really solid, particularly when answering the bell, in terms of getting other additional rush opportunities,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Not that we’re surprised by that. He displayed that a year ago in a similar circumstance.”

When Tuitt missed games against Jacksonville and Denver last year, Hargrave combined for 2 1/2 sacks while finishing with a career-high 6 1/2.

With the Steelers playing more subpackage fronts in the second half of the season, Hargrave has remained on the field at defensive end. And with four games remaining, he already has set his career high in snaps.

“I always prepare for everything,” Hargrave said. “I’ve been ready for this. I think I’ve got a lot more to do. I know there’s a lot more I can bring to the table. I just have to keep getting better every week and keep preparing.”

A potential lucrative payday awaits Hargrave at the end of the season. He will become an unrestricted free agent in March unless the Steelers sign him to a long-term contract. Given their salary-cap situation, Hargrave might push himself out of their price range.

“It’s a big year,” Alualu said. “I’m happy for him. It’s well deserving what he has coming.”

Hargrave is aware of what’s at stake financially, but he’s focused on trying to finish the season strong and get the Steelers into the playoffs.

“When that comes, it’s going to come,” he said. “Now, it’s trying to show up every day and prepare. I have to improve these next four weeks and do my part.”

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