Some of the numbers that defensive coordinator Teryl Austin uses to gauge the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run-stopping success are the digits on his linemen’s backs.
If he can see their jersey numbers on film, that’s usually a good sign.
“I think when you’re playing well against the run — when you look at your bigs up front — they’re playing with their hands, not running sideways, they’re knocking people back,” Austin said Thursday. “I always try to make a point when we watch the tape. When we see us playing good run defense … I can see everybody’s number.”
The run defense will get tested again Sunday night when the Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens in a regular-season finale to decide the AFC North title. Ravens running back Derrick Henry is coming off a 216-yard, four-touchdown game last week against Green Bay.
The Ravens as a team rushed for 217 yards against the Steelers in Week 14 when the teams played in Baltimore, but the defense was missing a key number that day. Rookie defensive tackle Derrick Harmon — No. 99 — missed the first matchup against the Ravens with a knee injury.
Statistically, the Steelers’ run defense is much better with the 6-foot-4, 313-pound Harmon than without. The defense allows 86 rushing yards per game when he plays, while opponents averaged 166 yards in the five games he missed.
“We thought he’d have an impact; that’s why we drafted him,” Austin said. “We knew he was very talented. From a skillset wise, we knew he’d be able to do all the things we ask him to do. How fast that happens, that’s usually up to the player. It’s not unexpected. We’re glad he’s doing it.”
Harmon also missed a Week 13 matchup with Buffalo when the Bills rushed for 249 yards. Most recently, Harmon helped limit the Detroit Lions to 15 rushing yards and the Cleveland Browns to 78.
Harmon on Wednesday was named as the team’s rookie of the year.
Life without Washington
At 6-7 and more than 300 pounds, Darnell Washington is a unique player on the Steelers roster, but offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said the team has contingency plans after losing the tight end to a broken forearm.
That includes plans for the so-called “Spartan” tush-push, a short-yardage play where Washington was one of the pushers.
“If you want to continue to use things, you have to have contingency plans,” Smith said. “So, I’m not going to give away what that is. We’ll have something different for Baltimore.”
In a bit of good news, the Steelers could have starting left guard Isaac Seumalo available for the first time in three weeks.
On the injury report Thursday, Seumalo was listed as a full participant at practice after missing the past two games with a triceps injury. He was limited at practice a day earlier.
Secondary help
Cornerback Brandin Echols (groin), whose return could give a boost to a short-handed secondary, was a limited participant at practice for the second day in a row. He shared his eagerness to return after missing last week’s game against the Browns.
“Man, I was ready last week to get back, just not being able to play,” Echols said. “It’s a blessing to be able to come out here and step on the field with these guys.”
Illness kept cornerback James Pierre from practicing Thursday. Pierre (calf) was a limited participant a day earlier.
Watt practices again
Linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) again was a limited participant at practice along with wide receiver Calvin Austin (hamstring) and linebacker Malik Harrison (knee).
The team hasn’t announced whether Watt might return Sunday after missing the past three games, but Austin expressed optimism Thursday.
“You always want a guy that has T.J.’s ability and the ability to impact the game the way he does,” Austin said. “So, it’ll be great to have him back. You know, in what capacity we’ll find out really, not until Sunday.”
