Sep 24, 2014 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – For the better part of 12 seasons, Ike Taylor has been a constant in the Steelers defense, missing just four games at the end of the 2012 season with a broken bone in his ankle.

Eventually, the Steelers knew they would have to replace Taylor. They were hoping, however, that it would be after this season.

Those plans were thrown out the window Sunday night when Taylor suffered a compound fracture of his right forearm in the third quarter of a 37-19 victory at Carolina.

The Steelers aren’t placing Taylor on injured reserve, even though his recovery could take at least eight weeks.

Add in that the Steelers (2-1) must replace outside linebacker Jarvis Jones and inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who also were lost to injury, and some would say it’s almost like starting over for the defense.

Not so, says cornerback William Gay.

“Other than James Harrison, who’s been here already, everybody else has been here since training camp,” Gay said. “You don’t need to hit the reset button.”

The new faces on defense will be tested Sunday, when the Steelers (2-1) play Tampa Bay (0-3) at Heinz Field.

The Steelers have long preached about the pass rush and pass coverage working hand in hand. That will be put to the test now.

The team hopes it helped improve some of its depth Tuesday by signing longtime star and five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Harrison, who had 64 sacks from 2004 through 2012.

Harrison played sparingly for Cincinnati in its base defense last season after being released by the Steelers in a salary cap-related move. He recorded just two sacks.

“I did all right in the role that I was in,” the 36-year-old Harrison said. “They had me in their base defense, and teams kept us in a lot of nickel.”

That could be the case for the Steelers.

Gay will substitute for Taylor in the base 3-4 defense, but will slide back to his spot in the slot in the nickel. The Steelers are trying to decide whether to use the untested Antwon Blake, B.W. Webb or Brice McCain as the outside corner opposite Cortez Allen in the nickel.

Blake and Webb were signed after being released by Jacksonville and Dallas, respectively, while McCain was signed a free agent from Houston.

Sean Spence will start in place of Shazier, who is out two to three weeks with a sprained MCL. Arthur Moats will fill in for Jones, who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return after eight weeks. Harrison will back up Moats for now.

Harrison, who retired from the NFL just three weeks ago after spending last season with Cincinnati, said calls from defensive end Brett Keisel, safety Troy Polamalu, head coach Mike Tomlin and even Taylor helped coax Harrison back to the team he began his career with in 2002.

“I have no aspirations or goals; I’m just trying to make it to tomorrow,” said Harrison, who admitted to being winded following his first practice Wednesday. “I missed the teammates, the camaraderie, being with the guys. The game itself, I’m not missing it right now. Maybe I’ll miss it after we get a game or two in, I can’t say I missed the actual games.”

Unlike the Steelers, who aren’t ready to hit the reset button, Harrison is writing a new ending to his career. He just hopes it’s a good one.

“It’s going to rewrite the ending,” Harrison said. “Let’s just see what happens.”

The Buccaneers announced that second-year quarterback Mike Glennon will start Sunday against the Steelers. Luke McCown had started the team’s first three games. … Running back Dri Archer (ankle) and guard Ramon Foster both were full participants in practice Wednesday for the Steelers. Both missed the game against the Panthers. … Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey missed practice for the Steelers with an illness.