Mike Tomlin Adds Another Name to Steelers Long Injury List

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin added yet another name to the team’s length injury list on Tuesday, when he announced that free safety Damontae Kazee is unlikely to play this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Kazee suffered an ankle injury during pregame warmups before the game the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and though he was able to play through it, he is unlikely to be able to do that again this coming week.

“Kazee rolled his ankle pregame, was able to function in-game,” Tomlin said. “But obviously, on the other side of the game, it really swelled and he’s not in a good spot. He could probably be characterized as doubtful.”

Kazee played about his usual workload against Dallas, getting 17 snaps of playing time on defense. The Steelers did minimize his special teams workload. Kazee plays in the team’s Dime package and in the three-safety Heavy Nickel, where DeShon Elliott rotates into the box and Kazee replaces him as another deep defender.

It’s unclear who will replace Kazee if he’s unable to play against the Raiders. The Steelers do not have another player with extensive free safety playing time on their roster. Strong safety Terrell Edmunds has been playing as a box defender in the Dime package. He could move to a half-field role, with Elliott remaining on the field in the box. They could also try outside cornerback James Pierre or practice squad slot corner Thomas Graham as Dime defenders.

The Steelers could also simply play less Dime, especially this week. The Raiders have not played a single snap with four wide receivers on the field this year, per Sumer Sports. Their most-used package is 11 personnel, with three wide receivers on the field and rookie tight end Brock Bowers, which should be a good fit for the Steelers’ Nickel packages.

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee celebrates a tackle against the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 16, 2023. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

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