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Steelers stock rising/falling following win in Los Angeles

By Brandon Kring

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: Linebacker Devin Bush #55 and outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a down during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 13: Linebacker Devin Bush #55 and outside linebacker Bud Dupree #48 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrate a down during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at Dignity Health Sports Park on October 13, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Tyson Alualu #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Javon Hargrave #79 after a sack of DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 31: Tyson Alualu #94 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates with Javon Hargrave #79 after a sack of DeShone Kizer #7 of the Cleveland Browns in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on December 31, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /

Javon Hargrave: stock – up

Hargrave did not have a standout game to get his name on this report. His stock is now trending up for something that was out of his hands, the injury to Stephon Tuitt.

Tuitt left the game early with a pectoral injury and did not return. The fear now is that the injury is indeed a torn pectoral that will need surgery and effectively end his season.

The injury comes on the heels of one of Tuitt’s best starts in his career. He has dominated offensive lines every week, and the defensive line will sorely miss that.

In today’s NFL, however, the subpackage defense is king, and Hargrave will be the one to fill in for Tuitt in that package. Hargrave has the tools to produce well in Tuitt’s absence. Hargrave has good pass-rush ability and is a big body to stop the run.

While Tuitt will be sorely missed, Javon Hargrave and even Tyson Alualu should be up to the task to pick up the slack. Hargrave has extra motivation in a contract year to play very well and earn a big pay-day.

Devlin Hodges: stock – up

Hodges made his first career start, on the road, in a west coast game, and came out on top. He, along with Steelers fans all around, will remember that start for some time.

Hodges didn’t try to do too much and took what was given to him. He finished the game 15-for-20 for 132 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Hodges stayed underneath most of the night but was not afraid to air it out.

Unfortunately, one of his deep attempts was intercepted. He overall played a solid game and did enough to get the win.

Hodges will likely surrender the starting spot back to Mason Rudolph after the bye week, but he at least showed he can handle duties as needed. He also may have done enough to get in and take over should Mason Rudolph struggle at any point for the rest of the season.

Next. Steelers positional report card after win vs. Los Angeles Chargers. dark

The Steelers go into their bye week at 2-4 with a sliver of hope still alive for them in a weaker division than most anticipated coming in. If they can rest up and get the offense going, the defense is primed to keep them in every game and possibly win a few for them down the stretch.

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