PERSONNEL NEWS

Strategy And Personnel

The Sports Xchange

October 04, 2018 at 1:09 am.

PLAYER NOTES

–S Nat Berhe tore his pectoral muscle against Baltimore and was placed on injured reserve.

–CB Brian Allen was elevated from the practice squad to take Nat Berhe’s place on the 53-man roster. Allen was a rookie last season and spent the entire season on the 53-man roster.

–LB Vince Williams, who injured his hamstring against the Ravens, did not practice Wednesday.

–CB Mike Hilton, who missed the Ravens game with an elbow injury, returned to practice and is expected to play Sunday against the Falcons. Hilton said he will wear a brace to protect his elbow, but he does not expect it to hinder his performance.

–K Chris Boswell injured his left (plant) foot in practice on Wednesday, but he is expected to be OK for Sunday.

–WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, who injured his ankle against the Ravens, did not practice Wednesday.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: WR Ryan Switzer. The Steelers acquired Switzer just before the season began to be the team’s punt and kick returner. He has done well as a returner, but the Steelers also have utilized him in their offense. Switzer played 21 snaps against the Ravens. He was targeted seven times and had seven catches for 32 yards. For the season, Switzer has 11 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
GAME PLAN: The Steelers have to find a way to get their running game going against the Falcons. When the Ravens stuffed the run early they were able to easily defend the Steelers’ passing game. They can’t let the same thing happen against the Falcons. James Conner gained 135 yards in the opener at Cleveland, but he hasn’t had much success since then. Much of that has to do with a lack of a commitment to the run game. The Falcons have struggled to defend the run and the pass. If the Steelers can do both effectively Sunday they’ll have a much better chance of winning. Plus, possessing the ball more – they held it for just eight minutes in the second half against the Ravens – would give their defense some much-needed rest.

The defense must put a lid on the top of their leaky pass defense. The Steelers are giving up more than 300 yards passing per game, and much of that has to do with the large number of big plays opponents get every week. The Ravens connected on a 73-yard passing play and also completed a 33-yard touchdown. Those are the types of plays that are killing the defense. The Falcons have an explosive offense and they’ll test the Steelers’ secondary, especially since the Steelers have been besieged by injuries to several starters. Somehow, some way the Steelers have to figure out a way to limit the Falcon’s high-powered offense.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH

–Steelers CB Joe Haden vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones. Haden is the Steelers’ top corner and he’ll be charged with the task of trying to limit the number of big plays by Jones, one of the league’s best receivers who has 29 receptions for 502 yards through the first four games of the season. Haden gave up a touchdown to John Brown last week, but he has been really good in coverage all season, especially against DeSean Jackson of Tampa Bay. Jackson entered the game as the NFL’s leading receiver and was a non-factor in that game.

–Steelers TE Vance McDonald vs. Falcons S Keith Tandy. Tandy was signed after Pro Bowler Keanu Neal was lost for the season with a knee injury. The Steelers have enjoyed success the past two weeks getting McDonald matched up on safeties. McDonald has 12 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown in three games. With opposing defenses concentrating their efforts on stopping Antonio Brown, look for McDonald to continue to be targeted in favorable matchups.