Underrated players to watch during Steelers training camp

Chris Wormley is getting little attention with other players returning

The defensive line was decimated last season other than for Cam Heyward trying to hold down the fort. The Steelers lost Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu early into the season, without Tuitt for the entire year. It was a tough pill to swallow, and the run defense paid for those absences.

It led to Chris Wormley getting a shot at becoming every down starter for the defense. That brought mixed results with it as the veteran had been mostly a backup or role player up to that point in his career. He was able to help set some career highs in different categories while also negating run defense with his teammates.

This was one of the worst run defenses in franchise history for the black and gold. Wormely struggled in that department as well and saw some warts show. He did blossom and show his pass rush abilities as he totaled seven sacks, a career-high.

Alualu is getting the most buzz, as well as Larry Ogunjobi, as becoming the starters opposite of Cam Heyward heading into the preseason. That narrative has started to change some as both Alualu and Ogunjobi have missed time with injury thus far in camp. That has opened the door for Wormley to get every chance to reclaim a starting spot or at least a big role for this defense.