If there’s one coach in the NFL who never flinches in the face of adversity, it’s Mike Tomlin. That trait has become his hallmark throughout his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heading into a must-win Week 3 matchup, Tomlin once again finds himself in the fire — this time battling a growing list of injuries that would rattle most teams. But even as his roster limps into Sunday's showdown, his message remains consistent: adapt, adjust, and stay positive.
There’s no way to sugarcoat it — the Steelers are banged up, badly.
Week 2’s 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks was telling. Pittsburgh entered the game short-handed, and it showed. The defense, normally the team’s backbone, was missing several key contributors. Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring), Alex Highsmith (ankle), Derrick Harmon, and DeShon Elliott (MCL) were all ruled out and unable to help stop Seattle’s offensive onslaught.
Highsmith has already been declared out for Week 3, while most of the injured starters are listed as questionable. As if that wasn't enough, linebacker Patrick Queen (oblique) and cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) have also joined the injury report and will be limited throughout the week.
It’s not just a bruise — it’s a full-on body blow to a team still trying to find its rhythm early in the season.
Still, Tomlin remains undeterred.
Mike Tomlin's positive outlook on the Pittsburgh Steelers injury crisis is crazy enough to work
"Injuries are a part of the game — certainly you adapt and move on," Tomlin told reporters during Tuesday’s media availability. “But it probably comes with more challenges in the early portion of the year. I think we've felt the facts of that.”
That kind of honesty is why Tomlin is so respected, not just in Pittsburgh but league-wide. But it's his next thought that shows his leadership chops.
“I certainly feel confident that we're going to experience the benefit of that. We have some young people gaining some real game experience, and we're being challenged as strategists to bring the game to them.”
That’s the mindset of a head coach who knows the season isn’t won or lost in September — but it can be shaped. And that starts with the roster’s depth.
Players like Jabrill Peppers, Jack Sawyer, and Yahya Black will be called upon to shoulder more responsibility this week. They aren’t just role players anymore — they’re pivotal parts of Pittsburgh’s game plan. Tomlin and his staff will need to craft schemes around these emerging contributors and trust them to play fast and fearless.
Roster depth is often one of the most underrated elements of a successful NFL team. It doesn’t get talked about in highlight reels or social media hype, but when injuries strike, depth is what keeps the season alive.
Mike Tomlin understands this better than most. His team may be bruised, but they’re not broken. With a mix of youthful energy, trust in his coaching staff, and his trademark positive resolve, Tomlin is once again showing why he’s one of the most steady hands in the NFL.
The Steelers might be limping into Week 3, but make no mistake — they’re still marching.