The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled with keeping their safeties healthy this season, with Minkah Fitzpatrick being ruled out once again due to an injury. Damontae Kazee has been healthy this season, but was just suspended for a hit he delivered to Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts. With both starting safeties out, the Steelers may be forced to get creative at the position - which may include moving cornerback Patrick Peterson to safety.
Matthew Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has already been ruled out for Week 16, marking the second time he's sustained an injury forcing him to miss time.
In the Steelers' Week 16 blog by Teresa Varley, Peterson expressed his desire to play safety and help the team out in one of its thinnest positions. Peterson had already gotten a few snaps at the position throughout the season, while he also filled in against the Colts once Kazee was ejected. Peterson has become familiar with the position and feels like he would be a solid option for Pittsburgh. Peterson also mentioned that he feels like he will make a bigger impact on the team at safety than he did at cornerback, and is ready if the Steelers call his name.
"Now I have an opportunity to read the quarterback, read his shoulders and have an opportunity to make more breaks on the football now versus just guarding a receiver or playing a deep third on one side of the field. Now I feel like I can be more effective when the ball is in the air."
“That was my first time getting some real quality safety reps last week again the Colts. It felt pretty good,” Peterson said. “I said last week post-game that Coach Grady [Brown] and Coach Tomlin did a great job of putting me in position throughout OTAs, minicamp, training camp so that if this opportunity did present itself, I wouldn’t be running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I feel pretty comfortable. The visual is a little bit different. Just the more reps I get, the more comfortable that I get.”
Peterson is more than confident in his ability to play safety, and with the safety depth being so low, he could get a look here and there. But according to Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, Peterson is still a corner and will be used as such.
"I think moving forward, I still see him as a [cornerback]. We just have to play it by ear and see where we are," explained Austin.
Austin didn't hesitate when describing Peterson as a cornerback. That has been his primary position for the 13 years he's played in the NFL, so he is obviously most comfortable there. Austin is confident in Peterson's abilities and finds that he is best used as a cornerback, but he can also be used as a safety in different defensive packages.
"He played a little bit of safety in some of our dime packages. When we had those extreme circumstances, it was only natural that he moved there. He does have the skillset for it," said Austin.
Austin also explained that when Peterson first arrived in Pittsburgh, his ability to play safety was talked about and was one of the main reasons the Steelers took the veteran on. A versatile player is important and beneficial on any part of the field, so having Peterson on the field ready to play either position lifts a weight off of the Steelers' coaches.
Abigail Dean / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers cornerback Patrick Peterson is prepared to move to safety to improve depth and become a cornerstone piece after the losses of both Minkah Fitzpatrick and Damontae Kazee.
Who Will Play Safety For The Steelers?
Without their two starters and Peterson taking the majority of snaps as a cornerback, who will Pittsburgh turn to in order to fill the void at safety? Luckily, they have a variety of viable options.
Undrafted second-year player, Trenton Thompson stepped in for Fitzpatrick when he first left the field for a hamstring injury and has been nothing short of impressive. Through five games, Thompson has recorded 17 tackles, three passes defended, and an interception. He has filled the big shoes relatively well and looks to continue to impress both coaches and fans as he will likely be named a starter this coming week.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Trenton Thompson (17) and James Pierre (42) celebrate a defensive stop against the Cleveland Browns in Week 11.
Miles Killebrew will be another name to watch for, as well as veteran Eric Rowe. Rowe recognizes how thin the Steelers are at safety and knows it will be a challenge to try and lead a demoralized squad. He's up for the challenge, however, and is getting as prepared as he can. He understands that being a new player on a team already comes with its own challenges, and that coming into December football means every game counts and could push your team to the playoffs. He's ready for the opportunity and is looking forward to living up to expectations. He is currently on the team's practice squad.
What do you think about Peterson playing safety? What could the Steelers do to improve their safety depth? Leave your thoughts in a comment below!
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