Aaron Rodgers has already been sacked 23 times this season. Any relief would be welcome as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for another AFC North showdown after their bye week. Well, the Cincinnati Bengals' most recent injury update may provide it. Their decision to place rookie defensive end Cashius Howell on injured reserve removes one contributor from the Bengals’ pass rush rotation and gives Pittsburgh one less threat to account for.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former second-round pick will miss at least four games, including the Week 10 Sunday night matchup against Mike McCarthy’s squad. Former first-round pick Shamar Stewart could receive additional defensive snaps during Howell’s absence.
It’s easy to find Howell’s fingerprint within Al Golden's defense. This season, he ranks fourth among his peers in pressures (10) while emerging as a prominent role player. Cashius Howell has been utilized in 41 percent of Cincinnati’s defensive snaps. It’s a limited share compared to Boye Mafe (75%) and Myles Murphy (66%), but it’s an impressive workload for a developing player.
In those limited snaps, the determined defensive end has contributed five QB hits and one sack. An appetite for destroying the pocket has helped Cincinnati disrupt opposing QBs throughout the campaign. Entering Week 8, the Bengals rank fourth in sack rate (8.1%).
Usually, that could spell trouble for a 42-year-old quarterback who is taking 2.9 sacks per game. But will Pittsburgh’s offensive line make the most of Cincinnati’s injury?
Cashius Howell’s injury gifted the Pittsburgh Steelers an advantage before a pivotal Week 10 AFC North showdown
They have no reason not to.
Protecting the quarterback must become Mike McCarthy’s primary focus during the second half of the season. Sure, Aaron Rodgers appears youthful at times, but he isn’t as spry as he was earlier in his career. This season, only Deshaun Watson (33) has been sacked more than Pittsburgh’s gunslinger. Justin Herbert, Geno Smith, and Bryce Young are tied with Rodgers in the category.
But they are also significantly younger, with Smith (36) being the closest in age.
It’s hard to believe Rodgers will be in an advantageous condition for the postseason if he continues to take weekly beatings. Luckily, McCarthy’s recent adjustments have the offensive line playing like a well-oiled machine. According to PFF, Pittsburgh ranks third in overall offensive line grading. Brock Hoffman and rookie tackle Max Iheanachor’s contributions are changing the way Pittsburgh attacks the line of scrimmage.
According to Statyx.com, Aaron Rodgers earned a -.481 EPA and a sack rate of 9.8% against the Patriots in Week 2. As a result, Pittsburgh’s offense was held to three points by New England. Last Sunday, Rodgers EPA improved to .146 while his sack rate dropped to 3.8%. Improved protection from the offensive line helped Pittsburgh post 361 offensive yards on 11 drives.
That’s a significant improvement.
Fortunately, Cincinnati’s latest injury setback gives Mike McCarthy one less obstacle to overcome. Howell’s absence won’t eliminate the Bengals pass rush, but it should provide Pittsburgh’s improving offensive line with a favorable opportunity to build momentum after a bye week.
If McCarthy’s unit can capitalize, the Steelers could emerge from Cincinnati with more than another victory. They could take another meaningful step toward keeping their most important offensive player healthy for January.
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