The Steelers’ biggest job this week is plain enough: slow down Jonathan Taylor and force the Colts to earn it somewhere other than on the ground. That makes life in the trenches the headline, especially with Derrick Harmon now out after being placed on injured reserve because of the foot injury he suffered against the Browns.
Harmon’s absence opens up roughly 40-50 percent of the defensive line snaps, and while most of that work figures to be divided among the top four names on the depth chart, it also creates a real opening for one of Pittsburgh’s rookies. The question is which one gets the nod first.
Pittsburgh brought in Gabriel Rubio in the sixth round and added Kevin Jobity as an undrafted rookie, and both have flashed at times since arriving. They bring different skill sets, which is exactly why this is not a simple call.
Rubio has the draft status working in his favor, and he seemed to stay ahead of Jobity throughout camp. His strongest selling point is straightforward: he can handle the run.
He has enough power to win against single blockers, he holds his ground well, and he can even absorb double teams. For a young player, there’s a strong argument that he already ranks among the best run defenders on this defense.
The issue is what he doesn’t do. Rubio’s pass rush has basically been a non-factor. That wasn’t part of his game at Notre Dame, and there wasn’t much sign of it changing during camp.
Jobity, on the other hand, is the smaller player but brings more finesse and a better pass-rushing package. He also has the higher ceiling because of his traits and because he is newer to football overall.
That creates the dilemma. If the Steelers are laser-focused on stopping the run, Rubio feels like the cleaner fit. But this line already has plenty of players who can hold up against the run, and Keeanu Benton is the only one on the unit who stands out as a good pass rusher right now.
That’s why Jobity becomes interesting. So far, Harmon is the only Steelers defensive lineman to record a sack, and Jobity could bring some needed juice in that area.
There is also the possibility Pittsburgh simply dresses both rookies and uses them as the game unfolds. From a fan’s perspective, that would at least offer a chance to see what each one can do in live action.
Either way, this is one of those roster calls with real consequences beyond just Sunday. With so many other issues on defense, the Steelers are looking at a two-dogs, one-bone situation here, and the choice could matter well beyond this week.
In Other News...
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The timing is what makes it sting. With Jamel Dean sidelined by an ankle injury and Jalen Ramsey in question because of a wrist issue, the Steelers are navigating a week where depth at cornerback is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Future picks can wait, but the immediate challenge is finding enough reliable bodies to keep the back end intact right now. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Head Into Colts Game With New DK Metcalf Frustration
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It came after an 11-yard reception, when Metcalf threw the ball toward Clevelands defense and made a comment that drew the leagues attention. For Pittsburgh, it is another reminder of how quickly emotion can spill into yardage and fines, and of how the margins around a receiver as central as Metcalf can shape a game beyond the box score. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Already Have A New Quarterback Debate For Life After Rodgers
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Among the names worth tracking are CJ Carr, Darian Mensah, Drew Mestemaker and Kamario Taylor, all of whom have flashed enough in NCAA play to land on early watch lists for Pittsburghs future needs. The appeal is obvious, since the Steelers are expected to be active when that quarterback class comes due, but the real debate is still in front of them: which of those rising prospects can keep separating himself as the season unfolds, and which one eventually fits what Pittsburgh wants when Rodgers is no longer part of the conversation? [Read more 🡒]