Injuries can disrupt franchises seeking long-term success during the NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers are working to ensure injuries don’t set them back too far. Last week, Derrick Harmon suffered a toe injury that forced the staff to place him on injured reserve. His absence will be gut-wrenching.
Especially with Jonathan Taylor coming into town determined to cause chaos. And that could spell trouble for Pittsburgh if Patrick Graham’s defense isn’t prepared for a fight.
Limiting explosive rushers to minimal performances is easier said than done. Jonathan Taylor fits the description perfectly. If you don’t believe me, take a look at the numbers. Since entering the league, the former Wisconsin Badger has put up 7,951 rushing yards, 1,538 receiving yards, and 82 total touchdowns. When healthy, No. 28 remains the engine of the Colts' offense.
And they are not afraid to put him to work. This season, Taylor ranks fifth in total rushing yards (353) and third in rushing touchdowns (six). I expect Jim Bob Cooter to utilize him early and often.
But will Pittsburgh be prepared to limit his production?
Boy, I hope so. But Graham’s defense has struggled against the run in recent weeks. This season, Pittsburgh has allowed 451 rushing yards in four games. That’s almost 113 rushing yards allowed per game, even with Harmon in the rotation.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must rely on key players to fill Derrick Harmon’s role while on Injured Reserve
This season, the former Oregon Duck has played a valuable role on the defensive front. So far, the second-year defensive tackle has earned a sack and a forced fumble during the campaign. He effectively controls the line of scrimmage, making it hard for opposing rushers to sustain success.
Clogging run lanes is a tougher challenge without him. According to the depth chart, rookie Gabriel Rubio will be Harmon’s immediate replacement for the upcoming games. He’s a 6'5" physical wall with raw talent. He’s accustomed to receiving double teams and stuffing the line of scrimmage.
Rubio appeared in 39 games, making eight starts in college. His 66 total tackles included five stops behind the line of scrimmage. He lacks the pass rush talent that Harmon possesses, but can become a hindrance in the backfield when inserted into action.
If the rookie cannot generate the same pressure Harmon creates, I’d expect Patrick Graham to dial up blitzes to ensure havoc at the line of scrimmage. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson could also become safety valves for a defense looking to bottle up a determined rusher. It wouldn’t surprise me if their alignment shifts - placing one of the two closer to the line on various plays.
Feeding Taylor will be the Indianapolis Colts' plan for success heading into an important Week 5 matchup. Without Harmon, the Pittsburgh Steelers must rely on role players to answer the call.
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