PITTSBURGH — There is one player on the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report leading up to the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and that is defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.
Ogunjobi was limited in practice on Wednesday with a nagging foot injury that has been bothering him since the late days of training camp at St. Vincent College.
If he can’t play, the Steelers will likely rely on a number of different players to fill the gap. He specifically highlighted second-year lineman DeMarvin Leal as a player that could step up in the absence.
“Absolutely. I think Marv has done a really good job. We really like Marv,” Austin said. “He is a good young player and he’s still ascending. If for whatever reason, we have don’t have Larry, the I absolutely have faith in Leal.”
Leal is a candidate to start in place of Ogunjobi if he can’t go, particularly in the team’s base 3-4 defense, where he fits nicely at defensive end. Montravius Adams, Armon Watts, Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookie Keeanu Benton are also options to fill in.
Austin said that with players not yet accustomed to a full workload, they may substitute more liberally on the defensive line than they typically do.
The 49ers have a stellar left tackle in Trent Williams, who will do battle with one of the Steelers top edge rushers. But they have changeover at other areas. Colton McKivitz, a West Virginia product, will step into the starting lineup at right tackle after being a backup the next two years.
Their three lowest-rated performers last season according to Pro Football Focus were center Jake Brendel and guards Aaron Banks and Spencer Burford. Defeating the interior of the San Francisco offensive line — a big part of Ogunjobi’s job — will be critical in this matchup.
“We feel pretty good about our rush,” Austin said. “The question is, can we get them into third downs?’