5 Steelers to pay close attention to tonight vs Bills in Preseason Week 2

After an injury setback this linebacker needs to show up this week for Pittsburgh

The competition at inside linebacker is in full swing right now for the black and gold. There is still a lot of time before Pittsburgh has to make a decision about who they believe will fit best in certain roles on this defense. Other than Cole Holcomb being the three-down linebacker for this team, the other spot is still up for grabs.

It seems like it will be a job completed by committee and that will end up being a group effort by Elandon Roberts, Kwon Alexander, and Mark Robinson. All three are run stuffers that might be able to provide limited coverage. The real curiosity right now is if this club will keep five or six linebackers when they must make their final decisions.

Normally, they do end up keeping five linebackers at the position when they get to the final roster. That allows for different options and depth. That last spot that will presumably be the final opening at linebacker is being fought between Tanner Muse and Nick Kwiatkoski. Both are experienced linebackers and can provide varying degrees of special team snaps.

Kwiatkoski is another run stuffer with Pittsburgh roots. He has been having a solid training camp and was doing well in the first preseason game before he was out with an injury. He seems to be struggling with a shoulder issue, but he has been back at practice. That missed time might hurt his potential of making the roster, but he might be outperforming Muse on the field thus far.