Injuries in the NFL can shift a game’s projection before the initial kickoff. That may be an issue for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s unit Sunday afternoon. His defensive line is severely thin after Derrick Harmon was placed on injured reserve (foot) a few weeks prior.
Now, Keeanu Benton is working through an ankle injury after an impressive performance against the Indianapolis Colts. The question is, will he take the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday? And if so, will he be healthy enough to make a difference?
Let’s hope so.
Especially if Bucky Irving is still hot after an impressive performance. Last week, the former fourth-round pick earned 165 rushing yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. His 7.9 yards per attempt were hard to ignore. It also helped the Buccaneers accumulate 241 rushing yards on 39 total attempts.
That’s quite a performance.
However, denying determined rushers has become a strength of Graham’s squad in recent weeks. Chase Brown, Quinshon Judkins, and Jonathan Taylor combined for just 159 rushing yards across three games. None exceeded 61 individually. Now Irving threatens to disrupt that momentum, especially if Benton isn't at full strength.
Last week, the former Wisconsin Badger earned three tackles, a pass deflection, and a run stuff while keeping Jonathan Taylor contained. It provided more evidence that Benton’s recent four-year, $72 million contract extension was the right decision. At $18 million annually, the interior force became the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in Steelers history.
The Pittsburgh Steelers could use Keeanu Benton against a motivated Buccaneers rushing attack
And his effort paid off handsomely. Pittsburgh held the All-Pro tailback to 45 rushing yards and three yards per carry. It was a resilient performance, but will Patrick Graham have the pieces up front to deliver another stalemate?
He just might.
According to Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders, Benton wore a wrap around his left ankle during Thursday’s practice. That’s significant progress from his absence during Wednesday’s practice, and he was even listed as a full participant on Friday. It’s good news for a defensive unit with a shortage of interior linemen due to injury. We must keep an eye on the interior force as we approach game time. If he cannot suit up, rookie Gabriel Rubio is the next man up.
The 6'5" brick wall was an immovable force at the line of scrimmage in his first NFL action. His frame clogs running lanes instantly and immediately requires a double team. Last week, he consistently stalemated opposing linemen, earning two tackles as a rotational chess piece.
The Steelers’ defense enters Week 6 with a handful of injuries. I expect Benton to play a significant role if he is cleared to play. He’s shown flashes of excellence while filling in for his peers. We can also expect Rubio to be called on more often to secure a victory.
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