PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers defensive line coach Karl Dunbar joked Stephon Tuitt isn’t out on the practice field because he doesn’t want to see the media. Tuitt has yet to play in a preseason game and didn’t participate in any team drills this camp as he continues to deal with a family tragedy.
The players and coaches are understanding and helping Tuitt deal with the death of his brother. Dunbar said Tuitt is in all team meetings and he hangs out with the guys. He says Tuitt is with them every day.
We’re closing in on the first game of the season and it’s really unknown if Tuitt will be ready or not. TJ Watt hasn’t practiced in team periods and there is little doubt he will be ready, so a good chance an eight-year vet like Tuitt would be as well.
If not, the Steelers believe they have better options with every player back from last year’s defensive line and the addition of fifth round pick Isaiahh Loudermilk.
“The standard is the standard,” Dunbar said echoing a common Mike Tomlin phrase. “Anybody we put on the field we are going to ask them to do the same things we’d ask Stephon to do. Maybe they can’t do it like Stephon, but are going to require the same thing.”
The first back-up option to fill-in for Tuitt is a signee from the Ravens last year. Chris Wormley underwhelmed in 2020, starting one of the 13 games he played in. The 27-year-old totaled eight tackles, one for loss with three QB hits. The 6’5”, 300-pound vet says he was banged up last season.
“That was my number one goal, just to stay healthy,” Wormley said. “For the most part I have. Just to get those reps day-in and day-out and continue what I did on the day before.”
The former Michigan player, three years with Baltimore before coming to the Steelers, Wormley says he’s benefitting from a training camp, off-season practices and preseason games that weren’t available his first year in Pittsburgh.
“I didn’t get that time last year,” Wormley said. “I think it showed during the season. Just that trust between coaches and I wasn’t quite there last year. That was my biggest thing this year was to get that trust. Get those every day in game practice reps and then build on it.”
“He’s been playing well,” Dunbar said. “He’s been doing some good stuff. He started a couple of preseason games. He’s maturing within our defense. Getting him here last year. He has a season under his belt, he’s doing fine.”
There are others who could fill in, but Wormley, who started 15 games with Baltimore, said for now it’s trying to maintain that level if Tuitt isn’t ready to go.
“The biggest thing for all of us,” Wormley said. “When he does come back into play. We don’t skip a beat. I think that is what he is working towards right now.”