STEELERS HAS FINALLY OWNED THE RACE BY SIGNING.

Numerous in-season additions board the attrition-depleted team’s moving train. Steelers’ line of defense

Blake Martinez learned early in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ three-day bye week that he would be starting in his first game as a member of the team. The seasoned linebacker saw right away how ridiculous his circumstances were.

Martinez was going to play a big part in the middle of the Steelers defense fifteen days after signing.

After the Steelers’ opening game on Thursday, Martinez described the situation as “crazy.” “I was thinking that all week: ‘Wow, I haven’t been here in two weeks, and it’s time to get started.'”

The Steelers have been forced to assign a recent acquisition to heavy duty on occasion this season, especially on defense. Twenty days after signing to the practice squad, Mykal Walker, the player Martinez replaced as the starting left inside linebacker, made his Steelers debut on November 19 against Cleveland.

Following the start of the season, outside linebacker Kyron Johnson, running back Godwin Igwebuike, and cornerback Darius Rush joined the squad as well. In recent weeks, they have all had limited game action.

Qadree Ollison, a running back, and Tariq Carpenter, an inside linebacker, were added after the preseason, and both have made brief appearances as practice squad call-ups. Not to mention safety Trenton Thompson, who signed after camp started but has contributed significantly to the defense over the last month.

In the words of head coach Mike Tomlin, attrition is a big part of the NFL experience. However, it appears that an excessive number of players have been forced to board the moving train for the Steelers defense this season.

Walker stated, “Obviously, it’s a situation you dream of, but it’s going to be challenging anytime you are jumping into a situation like that.” While at home, I prayed for the chance to come. In the end, yes, it’s difficult, but it’s the chance I’ve been waiting for.

Walker had been cut by a third team during a three-month period, which left him out of football for six days in late October.

He was starting for the Steelers less than three weeks later. Walker had an interception and return deep into Patriots territory during Thursday’s loss to New England.

He was starting for the Atlanta Falcons for the majority of the previous season, but he is now looking for the “right spot” for his career. He now wants a permanent residence.

“At this level, it’s such a big mental battle,” Walker remarked. “It’s important for me to maintain mental preparation because I think people underestimate the mental toll that trying to join a new team and perform at this level takes. I enjoy performing and creating plays, but the first step in that process is mental preparation.

Johnson is familiar with the emotion. He played in 15 of the 17 regular-season games for NFL champion Philadelphia as a rookie last season. However, he was demoted to the Eagles practice squad early in the season, and on October 3, he signed a seven-day contract to join the Steelers practice squad after being cut.

Johnson has only played on special teams during the two games. But Johnson knows he could be the next man up, with starting outside linebackers Alex Highsmith and T.J. Watt in the concussion protocol.

The Steelers gave Martinez, Walker, and Carpenter their opportunity when starting inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander suffered season-ending injuries.

It feels good to be on a roster and playing, but it’s difficult to adjust to a new team this quickly in the middle of the season, Johnson said.

“You are just working if you feel like you don’t belong.” While you’re not intentionally stepping on anyone’s toes, it feels as though you must. To stand out, you have to put in daily effort outside of your home.