PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers defensive captain Cam Heyward said he is confident Stephon Tuitt will return at some point. Until then the team without Tuitt, Carlos Davis and Tyson Alualu is counting on new players like rookie defensive end Isaiahh Loudermilk.
The 6'7", 249-pound fifth round pick is someone you would pick to expect to benefit from a redshirt year. To not only learn the defense, but continue to grow his body to face the size and skill of NFL offensive lines.
"Whatever was going to happen," Loudermilk said of his mindset this year. "Whatever role I got I was going to make the most of. Luckily everyone has kind of entrusted me a little bit to go out there and make some plays. Step in for some guys who can't be out there."
Loudermilk has now played in six straight games, got his first sack against the Browns along with his first multiple tackle game, two, with the 15 snaps he received.
"It's a tough ask, but I think his shoulders will hold up," Heyward said. "Going straight from college to the NFL, getting a big role early on. Not a lot of rookies, especially in our defense, have done that."
"We are asking right now, got guys down. He's doing a great job. He's coming in every day, learning, practicing hard, using his hands. We are going to need him from here on out."
"I feel like as more snaps start coming my way, I'm seeing things a little bit better," Loudermilk said. "Practice has been helping a lot too. Each week I feel a little more confident."
He's getting to work with a 11-year veteran having an All-Pro year in Heyward. Loudermilk agrees that at times Heyward is a big brother, a father-figure and crazy uncle. He can be intensely serious and also a 'big goofball'.
"Huge having Cam in there," Loudermilk said. "Definitely someone we can watch during practice and games and see how he attacks situations. His knowledge of the game is incredible."
"He will help me out with the littlest things and sometimes the big things. Anytime he tells me something, I take it to heart. He's an incredible player. Having him in the room has helped me a ton."
Loudermilk says his body is adjusting to the increased snaps and says the game has slowed down. He's starting to understand not just his plays, but why the offense is doing what they are doing. The Kansas native is also aware of being picked on by opposing teams.
"They want to run the ball at me, try it," Loudermilk said. "I put in as much work as I can. I'm confident enough to know you run the ball at me. I'm going to stop it."
"I feel like I've become more confident as the season has gone along."
"As each week goes bye, we are getting more comfortable. We are definitely growing as a unit, week-by-week. I think there is a lot more room for us to grow. I am expecting some bigger things to come soon."
"We like the way he is coming along," said Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler. "Don't tell (Steelers defensive line coach) Karl (Dunbar) I said this, but he's doing a good job."
"He's going to be a good player for us. We need for him to be a good player for us because of our thinness at that position. Hopefully he can continue to get better."
