The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ already banged-up defensive line took another significant blow on Sunday, as starting defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi was forced to exit the game early with a groin injury. Ogunjobi, who has been a key component of the Steelers’ defensive front this season, went down in the first half after attempting to sack New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston. As he lunged to make the play, Ogunjobi appeared to pull up awkwardly, signaling trouble.
Despite showing some toughness and trying to continue playing, Ogunjobi’s efforts were short-lived. The coaching staff quickly realized he wasn’t able to perform at full capacity, and by the second half, the decision was made to rule him out for the remainder of the game.
In his post-game remarks, head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged Ogunjobi’s injury but did not provide any specifics on its severity, leaving the Steelers’ faithful to wonder just how long the defensive lineman might be sidelined. Given the nature of groin injuries, there’s a possibility that this could be a lingering issue, but only time will tell.
A Silver Lining: Isaiah Loudermilk Steps Up
With Ogunjobi out of the picture, the turned to backup defensive lineman Isaiah Loudermilk, who stepped in and delivered solid play. Loudermilk’s performance was one of the few bright spots during an otherwise challenging day for the defense, as he was able to fill in and maintain some level of stability on the line.
However, the Steelers were not without additional roster challenges, as they also made the decision to sit down veteran Dean Lowry during the game. This left the Steelers with just three healthy interior defensive linemen to carry the load for the remainder of the game.
The Status of Montravius Adams
While the situation with Ogunjobi is still uncertain, help may be on the way. Nose tackle Montravius Adams, who has been recovering from a torn meniscus, could be nearing a return. According to reports, Adams is working his way back and may be available for Pittsburgh’s upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. If Adams is cleared to play, his return would be a significant boost to the Steelers’ defensive line, especially if Ogunjobi is forced to miss additional time.
Adams’ presence could allow the Steelers to rotate him with fellow defensive lineman Keeanu Benton in sub-packages, providing much-needed depth and versatility. Both Adams and Benton have the size and skill to disrupt opposing offenses, and their ability to step in and contribute could ease the burden on Loudermilk and Lowry, who are likely to see more reps in Ogunjobi’s absence.
Next Man Up for the Steelers’ D-Line
The Steelers’ defensive line has already been dealing with its fair share of injuries this season, and losing Ogunjobi only exacerbates the problem. While the team remains hopeful that Ogunjobi’s injury isn’t too severe, they are also preparing for the possibility that he may be out for a while.
In the short term, it’s clear that Loudermilk and Lowry will need to shoulder more of the workload, especially with Adams working his way back to full health. If Ogunjobi does miss extended time, the Steelers will rely heavily on their remaining defensive linemen to step up, and they may have to lean on their depth to weather the storm.
As the Steelers prepare for their upcoming games, including a pivotal contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, the status of Ogunjobi will be a storyline to watch. For now, the Steelers’ defense will have to rely on the next man up, with the hope that Adams’ potential return could provide some much-needed relief in the weeks to come.
Stay tuned, Steelers fans — the defensive line has more challenges ahead, but Pittsburgh has always been a team known for its resilience. Let’s see how they respond.
