After getting to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick for seven sacks in their 38-10 win over the Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium last month the No. 1 defense in the NFL will be facing a depleted Cincinnati offensive line. Left guard Andrew Whitworth is definitely out with a high ankle sprain and left tackle Levi Jones’ status is uncertain with a back injury.
The leaves the real possibility of rookie Anthony Collins starting his first game – or at least playing significant time for the first time.
“Well, Levi is getting a lot of treatment, trying to get his body back and ready to go,” said Lewis. “Big challenge this week for our guys up front, across the board. That's going to be important for our offensive group, that we do a better job in protection than what we did here at Paul Brown in the earlier game and give our quarterback an opportunity and let the guys down the field work. So everybody's got to be on point and step up.”
Jones left last Sunday’s 13-13 tie against Philadelphia in the first half with what was described as a leg injury. He returned in the second half after Whitworth was injured and finished out the game.
Jones did not practice Tuesday. He was one of eight players who did not participate in the workout, a list that included Whitworth, guard Scott Kooistra (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (foot) and defensive end Antwan Odom (shoulder). Kooistra is expected to start in place of Whitworth Thursday night.
“I don't think there's any preparation you can get other than getting out there," said Jones about the possibility of Collins playing. "In practice you're going against good guys, but going against good guys without 80,000 fans screaming. The intensity is different and the speed.”
The Bengals allowed eight sacks against Philadelphia. Not all of those were the fault of the offensive line, but the group’s performance has been a cause for concern.
“It’s much bigger than just us up front controlling that but we’ll take it. We’re got broad shoulders,” said right guard Bobbie Williams.
LeBeau’s defense is ranked No. 1 overall in the NFL, giving up an average of 237.6 yards per game. The Steelers are also tied with Philadelphia with 36 sacks.
Fitzpatrick said he’s not worried about who is or isn’t blocking for him against Pittsburgh. Despite the eight sacks against Philadelphia, Fitzpatrick had his best day passing in his six starts this season. He completed 29 of 44 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles and, most importantly, did not turn the ball over.
“I don’t know that it changes things too much because this is the NFL and the guys that are on our team, whether they be starters or back-ups, are here for a reason,” said Fitzpatrick. “If they have to step in and play, or if there’s a particular guy that has to step in and play, we’re expecting him to get the job done.”
In their first game, the Bengals trailed Pittsburgh 17-10 early in the fourth quarter before the Steelers scored 21 points in a span of less than 6½ minutes to blow open the game. That stretch included Pittsburgh coming up with three of its sacks and forcing Fitzpatrick to fumble the ball away one time.
Steelers linebacker James Harrison is second in the NFL with 12 sacks, while teammate LaMarr Woodley is fifth with 9½ sacks. The Bengals have just 11 sacks as a team this season. Then again, getting pressure on the quarterback has been a hallmark of LeBeau’s defenses throughout his coaching career.
“I tell you, Dick is a pleasure to work with on a day to day basis,” said Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin. “He’s a wealth of knowledge and experience. He wears it in such a humble manner. He’s a team-first guy. This guy has been in the league 50 years and he comes into work every day exploring and asking the critical questions and trying to get better. He’s a source of inspiration to all of us. He is a blueprint to what professional coaching is about.”