The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken a significant hit to their defensive line depth, as veteran pass rusher and interior defensive lineman Montravius Adams is expected to miss several weeks after aggravating a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the New York Jets. Adams played just one snap before being removed from the game, leaving a gap in the Steelers’ pass rush rotation.
The injury was initially sustained during practice on Friday, with Adams listed as questionable heading into the game. However, after being cleared to play on Saturday, he re-aggravated the issue almost immediately, forcing him out of action indefinitely. Head coach Mike Tomlin did not provide a specific timetable for Adams’ return, though the veteran is expected to be sidelined through Pittsburgh’s November 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
This isn’t the first time Adams has dealt with a knee issue. Last season, a similar injury kept him off the field for four weeks, making this latest setback even more concerning. In response to Adams’ absence, the Steelers brought back nose tackle Breiden Fehoko to bolster their defensive line depth. Fehoko will serve as insurance while Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk are expected to take on expanded roles in Adams’ absence.
The Steelers’ defensive line is already thin, with DeMarvin Leal out for the season due to a neck injury. Losing Adams compounds the situation, as the team continues to shuffle players to maintain their interior pass rush and run defense. With the injuries piling up, Pittsburgh will need their remaining linemen to step up as they aim to stay competitive in the weeks leading up to their divisional clash against Baltimore.
While the Steelers defense has been a cornerstone of their success this season, Adams’ injury raises questions about their ability to sustain pressure on opposing quarterbacks. How Pittsburgh adjusts without their key pass rusher will be critical as they face a tough stretch of games in the coming weeks.
