The Pittsburgh Steelers are grappling with a significant challenge in their upcoming game on Sunday. Star safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick and the formidable Keanu Neal were absent from Friday's practice, as reported by Brian Batko. This somewhat expected development has Steelers fans on edge as they prepare to face the Cleveland Browns.
Who can step up to aid the Steelers secondary in their ongoing quest for the playoffs if the starters can't go?
Thompson Likely to Start
With Fitzpatrick and Neal probably sidelined, the spotlight turns to Trenton Thompson, who is likely to step into the starting lineup for the first time in his NFL career. This surprising turn of events adds an extra layer of intrigue to an already crucial matchup.
Teammates Reunited: Thompson and Kazee
Adding a unique twist to the situation, Thompson finds himself back on the field with Damontae Kazee, his former college teammate from San Diego State.
Thompson reflected on their initial interactions during his freshman year.
"Damontae was a redshirt senior when I first got to San Diego State, and, to be honest, he didn’t talk to me. It’s like, as a freshman, seniors are not messing with you, but we are pretty tight now."
This unexpected reunion creates an interesting dynamic within the Steelers' defensive lineup, with the two players rekindling their camaraderie. It will be a cool storyline to keep tabs on during the game.
Thompson's Skillset: An All-Around Safety
As Thompson prepares for a potential starting role in Sunday's game, he was asked to describe his playing style and the type of safety he sees himself as.
"What type of safety am I? Well, I think I'm just an all-around safety. I mean, I tackle; that's one thing. I've been told that I tackle hard, and I think I am a pretty good cover safety."
Thompson's self-assessment suggests that the Steelers might have a versatile player on their hands, capable of contributing both in tackling situations and as a cover safety.
While Steelers fans may not be familiar with Thompson's capabilities, his potential start on Sunday provides an excellent opportunity for the 25 year old safety to make a significant impact. Sometimes in this league, you need someone to go down for you to get your chance, and in this case, while unfortunate for the Steelers, it appears Thompson will get his moment. The potential absence of Fitzpatrick has added pressure, but Thompson's emergence could add a much needed spark for the Steelers' secondary.
Can Thompson Rise to the Challenge?
The looming question now is whether Thompson can rise to the occasion and effectively fill the void left by Fitzpatrick and Neal. The Steelers face a formidable opponent in the Browns, who will be relying on rookie quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson for just his second NFL start.
In Thompson-Robinson's debut against the Baltimore Ravens, he faced considerable struggles, throwing three interceptions and completing only 52.8% of his passes for 121 yards. The Steelers will likely look to exploit his relative inexperience, and Thompson's role in the secondary becomes even more critical in this context.
Steelers Navigate Choppy Waters
The Steelers, like all 32 NFL teams right now have been hit with the injury bug. On the defensive side of the ball, Steeler Nation is eagerly waiting for Fitzpatrick to return to the lineup. However, in the NFL, it's a next man up type of league and it's no question that Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin will have his defense ready to play Sunday.
As the Steelers navigate this somewhat expected challenge in the possible absence of Fitzpatrick and Neal, all eyes will be on Thompson as he steps into a pivotal role on Sunday in a must-win divisional game. The outcome of Sunday's game against the Browns may hinge on Thompson's ability to rise to the challenge and make a meaningful impact in his first NFL start.
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