Steelers lackluster defensive performance overshadows concerning injuries that Pittsburgh's secondary can't afford

If you watched the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Jets on Sunday, you saw an outcome that many predicted, but with a polar opposite way of getting there. Many, myself included, predicted a street fight. A low-scoring defensive affair that was won on the margins.

Instead, it was an offensive explosion by both teams, and it was the newcomers in Pittsburgh, led by Aaron Rodgers that scored the final points. And that was a welcome sight for many who bleed black and gold.

What wasn't, was the atrocious defense that led LB Patrick Queen to call out his unit after the game. To make that matter worse, the defense lost two starters via Joey Porter Jr. and DeShon Elliott with Mike Tomlin not offering a ton on their status after the game.

Mike Tomlin updates the injury status of the Steelers after the Jets win

"With this growth, we absorb some attrition in game like always," said Mike Tomlin after the game. "DeShon Elliot has a knee injury that's being evaluated. Malik Harrison also has a knee injury that's being evaluated. Joey Porter Jr.'s hamstring got tight, and we shut him down so it didn't get any worse than it was. . .

". . .There are some other bumps and bruises associated with play. I think Cam [Heyward] got hit in the eye, but he was fine and able to finish. But more than anything, I'm just excited for this group to face adversity and persevere."