Steelers could start two formerly retired players on defense in Week 14

The Steelers (7-5) saw yet another key piece of their defense suffer an injury in their Week 13 loss to the Cardinals, which means two new players are in line for extended playing time this week.

Veteran LB Elandon Roberts injured his groin last Sunday and never returned to the game. He is officially questionable for Pittsburgh's "Thursday Night Football" matchup against the Patriots (2-10).

If Roberts isn't heathy enough to go in Week 14, head coach Mike Tomlin said linebackers Blake Martinez and Myles Jack, who have both made comebacks to the league after retiring, will be options at inside linebacker, via PG Sports Now's Brian Batko.

"Essentially we lost our defensive quarterback when Elandon went down with an injury," Tomlin said, via ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Martinez, a fourth-round pick by the Green Bay Packers in 2016, signed to the Steelers' 53-man roster off the Carolina Panthers' practice squad at the end of November. He announced his retirement during the 2022 season but has since tried to make a comeback.

The 29-year-old looked like he was going to have a solid NFL career after posting at least 144 tackles in four straight seasons from 2017-20. However, he had just 43 tackles in seven games from 2021-22.

Jack, a second-round pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, played for Pittsburgh last year, posting 104 tackles. He was released by the team following the season, but it was more of a cap savings move than anything.

The 28-year-old then signed to the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in August but shortly after announced his retirement. He joined the Steelers practice squad at the end of November as well.

Potentially playing two players who were just retired isn't the scenario Pittsburgh likely pictured itself to be in after completely rebuilding its inside linebacker room this offseason. But with injuries continuing to pile up, the Steelers will need Martinez and Jack to make the most of their NFL return.