Steelers Now
PITTSBURGH — With T.J. Watt (lung) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) trending toward not playing against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Jack Sawyer is in line to be the next man up. It’s a challenge that the rookie out of Ohio State welcomes.
“I’m ready,” Sawyer said Thursday. “I’m going day by day trying to get better and get myself ready for anything, just trying to grow as a player, gain knowledge and be ready for whatever opportunity lies in front of me.”
Sawyer is chomping at the bit to showcase his talents against Detroit.
“It’s awesome,” Sawyer said. “This is what you live for. This is what you play the game for. Being later in the year, the games get heightened. That’s what you play this game for. It’s exciting and it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave Sawyer a ringing endorsement during his Tuesday press conference.
“Jack is doing what a lot of young, quality defenders do: They make the best with what you ask them to do, and they work in all areas and get better,” Tomlin said. “Usually those that are playmakers on special teams eventually become playmakers on defense, and he’s certainly been that for us. He’s made some plays on teams. He made some plays on teams last night. And so, I’m never surprised when they transfer that playmaking to the defensive side when they get more opportunities to do so. He’s had some opportunities this year, has made some plays, has had a sack, has had an interception, and so I wouldn’t be surprised if he displays that readiness if he gets an expanded role opportunity this week.”
Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward has seen tremendous growth from Sawyer in his rookie campaign.
“Jack is getting better every week,” Heyward said. “For a rookie to be playing this year, he and Derrick [Harmon] and Yahya, they’ve contributed a lot to our group. They just have to keep taking steps. The more you get in these situations, the more you get counted on. Jack is no different. Jack is going to have to step up this week. We believe he can do that.”
Sawyer, who stands at 6-foot-4, 260 pounds, excels at stopping the run. They’ll need him to be a force against the Lions’ two-headed rushing attack in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
“It kinds of reminds when we had Bud as a big, 265-pound guy,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “Jack is that way. It was all new for him because he was a defensive end in college. All this stuff is new, but I think it helps us because he can be a little heavier anchor for us to set the edge. Sometimes on the edge, guys will use their quickness to move around. This guy can actually sit down and set an edge. He’s making the transition well.
“For a young guy, Jack is pretty consistent in how he prepares and...
