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Pittsburgh’s acquisition of out of doors linebacker Malik Reed and a seventh-round draft choose on Aug. 30 in change for a sixth-round draft choose seems to be as if the Steelers may see the long run now.
In Pittsburgh’s season-opening 23-20 time beyond regulation victory towards the Cincinnati Bengals final week, 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt sustained a pectoral damage that landed him on injured reserve and can preserve him sidelined for not less than the following 4 video games.
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“When you lose a guy like him, it’s not about the guys that occupy his position of left outside linebacker,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated. “It’s about how we redistribute our responsibilities collectively to produce the collective outcome that we desire.
“Those guys are not going to be T.J. It’s not realistic to think that they’re going to be T.J., but we expect them to be varsity, and we’re going to formulate a plan to redistribute the responsibilities to lean on our strengths and minimize our weaknesses like we always do each and every week, and so we’re excited about doing that with them and getting this group ready to play this week.”
Reed and Jamir Jones will shoulder the load with Watt out.
A former Dothan Excessive College standout, Reed has been on this state of affairs beforehand. His complete NFL profession virtually has been spent on this circumstance.
An damage to Bradley Chubb elevated Reed into the Denver Broncos’ beginning lineup in 2019, his rookie season.
In 2020, perennial Professional Bowl exterior linebacker Von Miller missed all the season due to an ankle damage.
Final season, accidents induced Chubb to overlook 10 video games and Denver traded Miller to the Los Angeles Rams seven video games into the marketing campaign.
After making the Broncos as an undrafted rookie from Nevada, Reed began 34 video games in his first three NFL seasons.
“I’m ready, for sure,” Reed stated. “The past three years, that’s pretty much how I’ve gotten a lot of opportunities early on, so I’m definitely ready for it and ready to embrace it. …
“I’m a firm believer in my faith and that God had me in each position for a reason. We didn’t know that Von was going to go down. We didn’t know that Chubb was going to go down. We don’t know what’s going to happen to T.J. But being ready for the opportunity is something that I feel like has been a part of my story, and I’m just looking forward to it to embracing it.”
Reed has taken heed of Tomlin’s rationalization of how the Steelers are approaching Watt’s absence.
“I feel like by being me,” Reed stated of his plan to switch Watt. “I feel like I’ve been able to play the game at a high level when my number was called, so I’m just going to come in and be me. I feel like that’s why I was brought here, so I’m just looking forward to it.”
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In 45 video games with Denver, Reed had 123 tackles, 15 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback hits, three compelled fumbles and two fumble recoveries whereas on the sphere for 1,992 defensive snaps and 315 special-teams performs.
Reed performed 81 % of Denver’s defensive snaps in 2021. However through the offseason, the Broncos signed Randy Gregory in free company and drafted Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto within the second spherical so as to add to Chubb at exterior linebacker.
Towards Cincinnati, Reed performed 32 of Pittsburgh’s 100 defensive snaps, in addition to eight special-teams performs in his debut with the Steelers.
“I feel comfortable more and more each day,” Reed stated after a crash course within the Pittsburgh protection, “and even in the game, I feel really good. I’m definitely ready for it.”
The New England Patriots would be the first to check the Pittsburgh protection with out Watt. The Steelers and Patriots will sq. off at midday CDT Sunday at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.
“Malik can rush the passer,” Steelers All-Professional defensive lineman Cameron Heyward stated. “He’s a savvy vet. He’s had a lot of success in Denver, and we believe in him.”
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Mark Inabinett is a sports activities reporter for Alabama Media Group. Observe him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
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