The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backfield is currently very beat up. Keanu Neal is on Injured Reserve after suffering a rib injury in the Week 10 victory over the Green Bay Packers, Minkah Fitzpatrick has missed some time with a hamstring injury, and James Pierre is questionable in Week 12 with a shoulder injury. To add some depth and insurance to their defense, the Steelers signed veteran, Eric Rowe to their practice squad.
Steelers' Rowe Ready For Playing Time
Rowe recently signed to the Steelers practice squad, and he won't be elevated before the team's Week 12 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers are currently 6-4, and would be the seventh seed in the AFC if the season ended today. Every game for the rest of the regular season has major stakes behind it as Pittsburgh is fighting to make the playoffs in a very competitive AFC. Rowe talked with Teresa Varley about the meaning behind these games, and his readiness to play despite him signing just this past week.
"When it comes to mid-November, after Thanksgiving, each game is doubled. However they want to plug me, if they want to bring me up, I know what this time of year means. Especially when it comes to the AFC North. It's really hot right now. Each game really counts."
Rowe won't be on the field in Week 12 against the Bengals, but he has a chance later on in the season if Fitzpatrick doesn't get healthy soon or if there are additional injuries. Rowe is a two-time Super Bowl champion, so he knows what it takes to go on a run in the postseason and be a part of a team with championship aspirations and could be a valuable addition to the active roster if he ever gets elevated.
Rowe has played with the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins during his NFL career. So he has played with some pretty historic franchises with high expectations. This is exactly what it is like to play with the Steelers, an organization that is one of the most successful in all of sports. Rowe spoke on coming to the Steelers and what it means to play for such a historic organization.
"This is a pretty historic program. I played against the Steelers a couple of times in my career. One thing I always liked was the physicality, hard-nosed, tough team every year. That is the brand. Even growing up watching, that was always in my mind. When I got the call from the Steelers, of course I wanted to play for them. What better program to go to, a physical team that is hard-nosed football."
Rowe won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, and is looking to bring some of his championship pedigree to the Steelers, a team fighting to keep their spot in the playoffs. If he could, he would get out on the field against the Bengals in Week 12. Unfortunately, Rowe has only been practicing with the Steelers for about five days and is not familiar enough with the Steelers defensive playbook. Hopefully, he will make his way onto the active roster later in the season once he becomes more familiar with the Steelers defensive unit.
Rowe most recently played for the Dolphins in 2022, and he played in the Wild Card Round with them in a loss to the Buffalo Bills. He was on the Carolina Panthers practice squad in 2023 prior to being picked up by the Steelers.
Rowe is 3-1 when playing the Steelers, recording 18 tackles and three passes defensed. He has always been effective and productive on the field, and his experience of being in the NFL for nine years is extremely valuable. The Steelers could use his experience and high football intellect along with his communication skills in their defensive backfield.
Do you expect to see Rowe on the field for the Steelers at all in 2023? Would the secondary look better with him?
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