Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay is out of the NFL concussion protocol, and he’s going to return to his starting role at outside cornerback, head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday, despite strong play in his absence from veteran backup James Pierre.
Slay suffered a concussion in the Steelers’ Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and though he returned to the practice field in a limited capacity late last week, he was ruled out against the Cincinnati Bengals last week.
Pierre, 29, is in his sixth season as a Steelers backup cornerback, and has primarily played special teams over the bulk of his career, but has made a significant impact when he’s been called upon this season.
In 122 coverage snaps this season, Pierre has been targeted just 21 times. He’s broken up nearly as many passes (eight) as he’s allowed completions (nine), and has allowed a 51.7 passer rating when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus — the fifth-best mark in the league among players with at least 146 total snaps.
He, Joey Porter Jr. and Brandin Echols combined to lock down Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins against the Bengals, holding them to a combined six catches for 91 yards. The longest play, a 28-yard touchdown from Joe Flacco to Higgins, was when Higgins got matched up against rookie linebacker Jack Sawyer, and not a cornerback.
Despite all of that, Tomlin said he’s going back to Slay in his starting lineup against the Bears this week.
“He steps back in and plays,” Tomlin said. “We’re certainly going to continue to play James. He’s deserving of that. But if healthy, Slay is going to play.”
When pressed on how he considers the variables about playing a returning starter versus the hot hand at the position, he said only “thoughtfully.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Tomlin: Slay Still Steelers Starter at Outside CB, Pushing Aside Pierre
