PITTSBURGH, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ defense, once considered one of the toughest in the league, is facing a full-blown crisis. Ahead of their crucial Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, the team has confirmed that another safety will miss Sunday’s game, leaving head coach Mike Tomlin scrambling to fill the gaps in his secondary.
This marks the second safety the Steelers have lost in as many weeks, following a string of defensive injuries that have already derailed the team’s early-season momentum. After starting the year with a strong 4-1 record, Pittsburgh has dropped two straight games — both after holding second-half leads — exposing vulnerabilities on the back end of their defense.
The latest absence adds to a growing list of concerns. Without both starting safeties, the Steelers are expected to rely heavily on their young, untested backups to contain a surging Colts offense led by quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has been in MVP-caliber form. The Colts enter Week 9 at 7-1, boasting one of the most balanced attacks in the league, with the ability to punish opponents both through the air and on the ground.
Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged the situation in his Thursday press conference, saying, “It’s next man up — that’s our mentality. But yes, we’re thin in that area. We’ll have to be creative.”
“Creative” might be an understatement. The Steelers are reportedly considering shuffling players between positions, possibly moving cornerbacks into hybrid roles or promoting from the practice squad to patch the defensive holes. The pressure will also mount on Pittsburgh’s front seven — particularly T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward — to generate pressure and reduce the burden on an inexperienced secondary.
Fans and analysts alike are voicing concern that the team’s playoff hopes could start slipping away if they don’t stabilize soon. NFL analyst John Middlekauff even suggested that Mike Tomlin could be “coaching for his job” if the Steelers continue their downward spiral.
For now, all eyes turn to Sunday’s matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium. A win against the top-seeded Colts could reignite Pittsburgh’s season — but without two key defensive leaders, the odds are stacked against them.
The Steelers are bruised, battered, and desperate — and Week 9 might just define their season.
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