Sep 17, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – When you sign a big contract, expectations, from yourself and fans, become heightened.

Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert quickly learned this in the team’s first two games.

Gilbert was directly responsible for four of the five sacks against quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and committed a pair of penalties.

It wasn’t exactly the start Gilbert envisioned when he signed a five-year, $30-million contract extension a few weeks ago.

Gilbert admits the contract extension is in the back of his mind as he tries to overcome his slow start.

“You’re getting paid, so they have a great deal of confidence in you,” Gilbert said. “It’s just something you have to do. You can’t let plays like that seep in. You have to keep them away from the quarterback. There’s a lot of pressure, but it’s not like I haven’t seen pressure before. Last year, being 0-4, nobody thought we had a chance. But we grew together individually and as a line. We have to get better.”

Gilbert and the Steelers (1-1) will get a chance to do that Sunday when they play at Carolina (2-0).

Carolina’s defense was one of the best in the league last year and relies on a rotation of defensive linemen. That line will be down one key player as Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy, who led the team with 15 sacks last season, sits out while awaiting an appeal for his conviction for assaulting his girlfriend.

Protecting Roethlisberger will be a key for the Steelers having a chance to win.

Even without Hardy, the Panthers have a bevy of talented, young defensive lineman, led by end Charles Johnson, who has double-digit sack totals in three of the past four seasons.

“They’ve got a very good defensive front,” said Steelers guard David DeCastro. “They will rotate a lot of guys out there. They’re penetrators, very disruptive.”

And with Gilbert showing signs of being a weak link on the Steelers’ offensive line, he’ll be tested early and often – at least until he shows he isn’t prone to having a breakdown or two per game.

“You play 60-plus snaps. If you give up two sacks, then it’s a bad game,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “That’s the nature of our business, and I’m sure as a tackle that’s a challenge that he embraces. I’m not concerned about Marcus and his ability to rebound.”

Giving up some sacks is nothing new to Gilbert, a fourth-year pro. He allowed 11 last year, which was easily the most on the team. But he also was the only Steelers lineman to play in every game and played 965 snaps. When you’re on the field that much, there will be some bad plays.

The key, however, is limiting the number of bad plays.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Gilbert. “As an offensive linemen, you should take pride in nobody hitting your quarterback. That’s why I have to do a better job.”

An 8-yard pass from Cleveland’s Brian Hoyer to Taylor Gabriel in the season opener was changed to a running play by Elias Sports. That means Cleveland had 191 rushing yards in the game. … Running back Dri Archer (ankle) and guard Ramon Foster (ankle) were limited in practice Wednesday. … Wide receivers Martavis Bryant (shoulder) and Lance Moore (groin) and nose tackle Steve McLendon (shoulder) were full participants. … Six starters, including starting offensive tackles Byron Bell and Nate Chandler, did not practice for the Panthers Wednesday because of injuries. Also out were wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, linebacker Thomas Davis, fullback Mike Tolbert and running back DeAngelo Williams.