The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without starting cornerback James Pierre when they take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday night. Pierre, who picked up an injury during last week’s win over the Ravens, didn’t practice this week and confirmed he won’t be suiting up.
That’s a tough blow for a Steelers defense that’s relied heavily on Pierre’s steady presence in the secondary. Since stepping into a starting role, Pierre has quietly become one of Pittsburgh’s most dependable defenders on the back end. He’s consistently held his own against some of the league’s top wideouts, showing off both physicality at the line and discipline in coverage.
With Pierre sidelined, the Steelers will turn to Asante Samuel Jr., who’s set to make his first start in black and gold. Samuel was brought in to bolster the depth chart, and now he’ll be tested right away in a high-leverage spot. The Dolphins aren’t shy about pushing the ball outside the numbers, and with their trademark speed on the perimeter, Samuel will need to be sharp in both coverage and run support.
This isn’t just a plug-and-play situation. Pierre’s absence changes the dynamic of the Steelers’ defense.
He’s been a key part of their ability to match up in man coverage and disguise looks pre-snap. Without him, there’s added pressure on the rest of the secondary - and especially on Samuel - to keep things tight on the edges and limit explosive plays.
It’s also worth noting the bigger picture for Pierre. He’s on a one-year deal and has been playing himself into a strong negotiating position for the offseason.
If he keeps trending the way he has, the Steelers may need to prioritize bringing him back. He’s earned that kind of consideration with his play this year.
But for now, the focus shifts to Monday. The Steelers are heading into a matchup against one of the NFL’s most dangerous offenses without one of their best cover men. That’s a challenge - and an opportunity - for Samuel and this secondary to step up and show they can hold the line.