The Pittsburgh Steelers, grappling with a string of unfortunate injuries this season, now find themselves in a predicament with two of their starting linebackers, Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander, ruled out for the rest of the year. As Steeler Nation anxiously wonders who will fill this critical void, Coach Mike Tomlin sheds light on a potential solution stating that the Steelers “won’t go outside of the organization” for reinforcements.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
Tomlin expressed a ton of confidence in Mykal Walker, a linebacker currently on the Steelers' practice squad, during his press conference on Tuesday. At 26 years old, Walker boasts an impressive track record, having played 49 career games for the Atlanta Falcons. In those games, he accumulated 187 tackles, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 interceptions. Tomlin emphasizes that Walker is not on the practice squad for mere development, but is strategically positioned to step into the limelight this weekend.
Steelers Confident in Walker
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Mykal Walker in his Falcons uniform during a game.
Walker's credentials are noteworthy, with an impressive resume last season for the Falcons, where he exceeded the 100-tackle mark. Tomlin expresses confidence in Walker's abilities and shared the ultimate reason that Walker is on the practice squad.
“Mykal Walker is a guy that played in Atlanta and had 100+ tackles a year ago in the National Football League. He’s not on our practice squad for development to be quite honest with you. He’s on our practice squad to learn what to do and to position and ready himself for a moment such as what’s probably going to transpire this weekend.”
Filling a Massive Void
While filling the shoes of a standout performer like Alexander poses a challenge, Walker brings a similar style to the linebacker position. Like Alexander, Walker is an athletic and agile linebacker with the versatility to excel in coverage, evident in his 3 interceptions. Walker is also a guy who has worn the green dot for 20 games for the Falcons and has confidence in his ability to come in and be a big time player on this stout Steelers defense.
“I mean, I’ve worn the green dot before, so it’s nothing new for me,” said Walker. “I feel like I can do a lot of things. What I can bring to this room is experience and a lot of versatility.”
Walker Stepping Up for Steelers
In a press conference with the Steelers media on Monday, Walker shared his perspective on the potential opportunity to join the 53-man roster.
“I’ve always been that guy who had to wait and scrap and fight to get to the top. If my opportunity is called, I’ll be ready.”
Reflecting on his journey, Walker recognizes the unpredictability of the NFL and the need to stay prepared. He epitomizes the essence of the "next man up" mentality ingrained in the NFL's competitive landscape. The unforgiving nature of this league, coupled with its unparalleled level of competition, makes every player's position precarious, subject to being won or lost in a matter of seconds.
“To be honest, I never envisioned myself in a role like this after last year in Atlanta. For me, I’m just riding the roller coaster up and down and waiting for my number to get called. My agent keeps me grounded. Sometimes, I’m ready to explode. This journey has taught me a lot. You have to be ready when your number is called. If you look at the first two years in Atlanta, it’s been the same way.”
In such a high-stakes environment, Walker stands poised to embrace the challenge, ready to step up and emphatically demonstrate that he not only belongs, but thrives in this elite league of extraordinary talent. The crucible of NFL competition is where Walker aims to forge his identity, showcasing resilience and determination as he prepares to make his mark and contribute significantly to the Steelers' defensive lineup, if given that chance.
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Mykal Walker talks about stepping up if needed against the Cleveland Browns.
As the Steelers face this linebacker crisis, Walker emerges as a potential solution. With experience, versatility, and a readiness to embrace the challenge, Walker could prove to be a crucial asset for the black and gold this Sunday in a massive game against the Cleveland Browns.
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