In 2016, the Steelers invested a first-round pick in Artie Burns for exactly the kind of challenge they will face Monday night in Tampa Bay.
Against the Buccaneers' top-ranked offense (482.5 yards per game), which features the NFL's leading passer and two of its top receivers, the Steelers could use a fast, long, rangy cornerback, right?
Well, if the final tuneup for Monday night's game in Tampa was any indication, Burns might not be starting when the Steelers take on the Buccaneers.
Coty Sensabaugh confirmed he did take some first-team reps on Saturday opposite Joe Haden at cornerback. That could mean that Burns has been surpassed or, minimally, is being pushed for his starting job. Burns had been bothered by a toe injury but says he is healthy.
Sensabaugh said Burns also saw first-team reps Saturday and he has been given no indication he'll start Monday night. It would be quite a turn of events if he did. Sensabaugh, who started the season behind Cameron Sutton and was inactive for Week 1 against Cleveland, played 29 snaps on defense in last week's loss to Kansas City.
"Try and prepare every week like you're going to be the guy," said Sensabaugh. "If you get in, cool. Try to make plays. If not, just continue preparing."
The Steelers will likely utilize their sub-packages against Tampa's pass-centric offense, but if Sensabaugh is indeed the starter, it will be quite a test.
"Guess I have to make the most of the opportunities I get," Burns said.
Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for 400-plus yards and four TDs in each of Tampa's first two games, only the third player ever to do so and the first to accomplish it at the start of a season. The Bucs also have the NFL's second-leading receiver in DeSean Jackson and the 10th in Mike Evans.
"This is a great opportunity for us this week to come back and bounce back from the Kansas City game last week," said Sensabaugh.
He was a fourth-round pick of the Titans in 2012, who signed with the Steelers last season as a free agent. Sensabaugh has three interceptions in 87 career games, including one last year.
It would certainly be understandable if the Steelers are looking to shake things up. They currently have the NFL's 15th-ranked pass defense (236.0 yards per game) and have allowed a league-worst seven passing TDs, six of them last week against the Chiefs.
Burns was responsible for two of those touchdowns and allowed four completions on all four targets to his man last week, totaling 87 yards. He showed up on the injury report last Friday heading into the game against Kansas City with the toe injury.
