Sep 22, 2014 4 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C – Depth in the NFL can change dramatically on a weekly basis.

Despite their impressive 37-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers Sunday night, the Steelers saw their depth tested in a big way during a short stretch in the third quarter.

Cornerback Ike Taylor suffered a fractured forearm, linebacker Jarvis Jones a wrist injury and linebacker Ryan Shazier an MCL sprain in his knee within a matter of minutes of each other, robbing the Steelers (2-1) of three defensive starters in the blink of an eye.

Two of the three were injured by teammate Lawrence Timmons.

Shazier was injured when Timmons was pushed backward while tackling running back Jonathan Stewart. Timmons also took out Taylor, fracturing his forearm after coming in to help the corner tackle wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin. And Jones was injured while forcing a Cam Newton fumble that resulted in Pittsburgh first takeaway of the season.

“This is not just about football,” said Timmons, who was particularly upset about the injury to Taylor. “This is family.”

Now, a defense that was already playing several new players, including Shazier, will be forced to make more changes.

The injuries to Taylor and Jones will require surgery. Taylor had his surgery Monday.

Jones, meanwhile, will be placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the next eight weeks.

In the meantime, the Steelers will meet with former Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison today about a possible return to help provide depth behind Jason Worilds and Arthur Moats, who will replace Jones in the starting lineup.

Harrison was released by the Steelers following the 2012 season and spent last season with Cincinnati. Harrison filed his retirement papers with the league in August, but Tweeted Monday that he will possibly be returning to the Steelers.

Shazier, the Steelers’ top draft pick this year, should return in two or three weeks to help at lienbacker, cornerback is a little more thin.

A 12-year-veteran, Taylor is highly regarded not only for what he does on the field, but in the locker room. He is in the final season of his contract after taking a pay cut to remain with the Steelers this season.

“It stinks,” said defensive end Brett Keisel. “We all know Ike. We all know the type of player he is, the type of competitor he is. We all know how tough he is. He’s one of those guys who when he’s hurt, he’ll still want to practice.

“He just loves the game. He loves preparing. He loves competing. It was hard seeing him down there. He’s such an ironman. He’s played so many games. He’s played more games than any of us on defense. We love him. We know he’ll continue to lead and hopefully heal fast. If anyone can recover from that, old No. 24 can.”

With Taylor out, William Gay will move into the starting lineup opposite Cortez Allen, with special teams ace Antwon Blake getting the first opportunity as the nickel cornerback, though Pittsburgh could turn to veteran Brice McCain or safety Shamarko Thomas in that role.

“I’ve just got to be ready,” said Blake, who was signed by Pittsburgh last season after being released by Jacksonville and quickly became one of the Steelers’ top special teams players.

“I feel bad for my brother, Ike, but I’ve got to have the next-man-up-mentality.”

Moats, signed in the offseason as a free agent from Buffalo, will move into the starting lineup in place of Jones on the outside. Sean Spence replaces Shazier at inside linebacker.

With the defense, which had been maligned following the team’s first two games, coming off its best performance, limiting Carolina to 42 rushing yards, more will be needed from the backups.

“It felt good to get out there and be able to produce right away,” said Moats, who had two tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit. “You never know when those opportunities are going to come. So being able to make some plays right away really boosts my confidence and helps the team out a lot.”

The Steelers will need more of that Sunday against Tampa Bay.

“(The coaches) do a great job of getting the next man ready,” Timmons said. “They do a good job of getting them into the game plan and making sure they’re comfortable out there.”

The Steelers’ 264 rushing yards was their most with Mike Tomlin as head coach. … Running back Le’veon Bell’s career-long 81-yard run in the third quarter was the fourth-longest in Steelers history. … The Steelers had five plays of 30 or more yards. … The Steelers were penalized 11 times against Carolina. Their 31 penalties rank second in the NFL behind only San Francisco (39).