PITTSBURGH — Steelers backup cornerback James Pierre might have a larger role against the Baltimore Ravens with the status of starter Donte Jackson up in the air. However, a chance to make a bigger impact on defense couldn’t have come at a better time with an opportunity to face his cousin, quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Pierre and Jackson are first-cousins and grew up playing football together in South Florida, but while some may think Pierre would give the Steelers the key to bringing down Jackson, he revealed there’s simply no answer.
“Ain’t no key. He’s crazy. That guy’s crazy,” Pierre said. “You never know with him.”
Luckily for the Steelers, they’ve had their way with the Ravens as of late, winning eight of the last nine meetings.
That doesn’t mean Pierre doesn’t want more bragging rights over his two-time NFL MVP cousin, especially because his NFL career has had much more ups and downs.
Pierre was an undrafted rookie in 2020. He went onto play four seasons in Pittsburgh before the team parted ways with him last offseason. After a short stint with the Washington Commanders, he rejoined the Steelers in September.
Good thing, too, because the Steelers have already had to rely on him playing some meaningful snaps this season and that could continue this week.
Pierre has answered the call when called upon. He has 18 tackles (14 solo), one forced fumble, one interception and two passes defensed in his limited action.
“What you see in practice is a lot of high effort, high energy, attacking the ball. So what happens in the game, he goes in and does the same thing and usually good things happen,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “I have no qualms about him stepping in and giving us some quality snaps when he has to.”
Pierre has played Jackson and the Ravens several times, but he has yet to intercept Jackson. Even if he does on Saturday, though, he will treat it like any other.
“Just another interception,” Pierre said. “Just do what I got to do. Be myself.”
That’s because Pierre has quickly adopted several of head coach Mike Tomlin’s famous “Tomlinisms,” and his favorite is exactly what has helped him to stay in the league for so long.
“Don’t blink,” Pierre said. “Don’t sweat. When the pressure’s coming, don’t even blink. Just do what you do. Be yourself.”
Turnovers usually play a big part in deciding the Steelers and Ravens matchups. Pierre might just be able to help continue his team’s winning streak if called upon on Saturday.