The Steelers defense was torched on Sunday night in a 41-37 loss to the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, allowing 533 total yards, its most since giving up more than 600 in a loss to the Patriots in 2013.
But help could be on the way.
After playing that game without three of the five players on defense who have been voted to the Pro Bowl -- and two of its three All-Pro defenders -- the Steelers (5-4-1) could get a boost this week against the Bengals (6-4) in a key AFC North game.
Mike Tomlin said Tuesday there is an expectation that T.J. Watt (knee/hip), Minkah Fitzpatrick (COVID-19), Joe Haden (foot) and Isaiahh Loudermilk (hamstring) all could return this week.
"Obviously, we could utilize the assistance of those guys," Tomlin said. "We'll let their first availability happen, and then the quality of their practice in their return be the consideration to how much you see them."
That would be a boost to a defense that saw players such as cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, safety Karl Joseph, linebacker Delontae Scott and defensive lineman Daniel Archibong all see either their first playing time of the season or significant playing time due to those injuries.
Witherspoon, who has been on the active roster all season after being acquired in a pre-season trade with the Seahawks, played 20 snaps, his first since appearing on four plays in Week 2 against the Raiders. Joseph, Scott and Archibong all were activated off the practice squad for this game and played, 15, 7 and 8 snaps, respectively.
Taco Charlton, who was activated off the practice squad last month, started in place of Watt and played a season-high 49 snaps, making two tackles and sharing a sack with fellow outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Joseph also had two tackles -- but drew a critical defensive holding penalty late in the first half on a field goal drive by the Chargers.
Witherspoon was picked on early in the game in a matchup on deep threat Mike Williams before settling into the game, while Archibong recorded two assists on tackles.
Scott, meanwhile, lost contain on quarterback Justin Herbert on an 18-yard scramble on third down in the third quarter.
Missing three of their defensive starters -- Watt, Fitzpatrick and Haden -- the Steelers defense consistently got itself out of position and allowed Herbert to make plays with his feet. He had 93 rushing yards -- after entering the game with 117 for the season -- on six rushing attempts before finishing with three kneel downs that pushed his total back to 90 yards.
"I take responsibility for that," Tomlin said. "Looking back at it, I felt that way instantly after the game, and I still feel that way. With the configuration of people we had available to us on defense, we probably should have done some things differently, more out of our personality.
"Drawing inside the lines when you've got significant people missing at every level, we weren't able to be as good as we desired to be and win those moments versus a well-balanced group like that. We weren't good enough to keep the quarterback in the pocket with our four-man rush. Under normal circumstances, our four-man rush probably is good enough to keep the quarterback in the pocket, not only Watt, but Loudermilk, who has given us some significant snaps in recent weeks. I thought that was a factor in the game."
Part of the reason for that was because the Steelers were missing both Fitzpatrick and Haden in the secondary. Tomlin said he felt with his secondary compromised, the Steelers needed seven players in coverage.
But that didn't work, either, as Herbert was sacked just twice and hit five times as he threw for 382 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
"We were less aggressive in our blitz game," Tomlin said. "We felt like we needed seven people in coverage. So, we didn't get after him as much as we would like. It was one of those games, something to learn from, particularly from a coach's perspective. And we will."
Fitzpatrick's absence, in particular, was missed on the Chargers' game-winning touchdown, an instance where the Steelers did blitz nickel corner Arthur Maulet out of the slot. Cam Sutton slid inside to the slot to cover Keenan Allen at the snap of the ball, while Tre Norwood, starting at free safety in place of Fitzpatrick, was late getting over to pick up Williams, who caught a 53-yard touchdown pass.
Tomlin said the Steelers need to be more cognizant -- especially himself -- of knowing who they have available and what their skillsets happen to be. He and the defensive staff can then build a game plan around those players.
But, with the potential return of Watt, Fitzpatrick and Haden, it might not be as needed against the Bengals.
"I didn't do it very well last week," Tomlin said. "Hopefully, that won't be the challenge this week. A lot of those guys will be back to us."
• Two players Tomlin is not confident about playing this week are tight end Eric Ebron and offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer.
Ebron, who caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown against the Chargers, did not return after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter after injuring his knee, while Hassenauer left in the first half with a pectoral injury.
"I would characterize their available as questionable," Tomlin said.
• Asked about the play of linebacker Devin Bush this season, Tomlin didn't pull any punched with the 2019 first-round draft pick.
"It's been spotty at times. It hasn't been at the level of consistency that we would like or he would like," Tomlin said. "He's had some challenges from a health standpoint of working back from the injuries that he has. You look at some of the guys with injuries, similar injuries, around the league, their participation has been less. Unfortunately, I've seen Bud Dupree, for instance, was placed on IR last week. Saquon Barkley and others, Zach Banner on our team is still working his way back."
Bush missed the final 11 games of the 2020 season after tearing his ACL and also missed a Week 2 game against the Bengals earlier this season with a hamstring injury.
He has recorded 46 tackles, two sacks, recovered a fumble and defended one pass this season in nine games, often looking a step slow in terms of his reads and anticipation.
"We want more from him. He wants more from himself," Tomlin said. "But we are appreciative that he's made himself available and is playing as much as he is."
