Aug 27, 2017 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin wasted no time getting the quarterback of his offense in and out of Pittsburugh’s 19-15 preseason loss Saturday night against Indianapolis at Heinz Field.

The quarterback of his defense wasn’t out there long, either.

Ben Roethlisberger saw his first action of the preseason, playing only two offensive series before calling it a night.

It was the same for inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who ended Indianapolis’ second possession with an interception and did not play again.

As valuable as Roethlisberger is to the Steelers’ offense, Shazier might be equally so to the defense.

“I just try to be the quarterback of the defense and try to do what the team asks me to do,” said Shazier. “I’m just trying to be out there as much as I can and be out there for every game this season.”

And therein lies the rub.

Shazier took over defensive signal calling from Lawrence Timmons two seasons ago. He became the team’s most valuable linebacker last season when he was the only player in the NFL with at least three sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles.

But he’s also been a player who has been prone to missing games, sitting out seven as a rookie in 2014, four in 2015 and three last season.

With Timmons now in Miami after leaving in free agency, Shazier’s presence in the lineup is perhaps more important than ever.

Vince Williams has moved into Timmons’ spot in the starting lineup and Tyler Matakevich has been used in Williams’ former role as the top backup at inside linebacker. But neither player has the pass coverage skills of Shazier, who ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at his college pro day and might be the fastest linebacker in the NFL.

“I try to pride myself on my whole linebacker game,” said Shazier, who earned his first Pro Bowl trip last season. “I have been trying to work on my coverage. I know a lot of times they feel like linebacker is a weaker point in the coverage. I try to make sure I catch the ball when I get my hands on it.”

That was on display last year when he had interceptions in Pittsburgh’s final two games of the regular season, then added one more each in the first two playoff games. Overall, counting the postseason, Shazier had five interceptions.

“He’s probably getting a better understanding of what we’re asking him to do within the schemes and that usually lends itself to splash plays,” Tomlin said.

That was the case Saturday night when Shazier read Indianapolis quarterback Scott Tolzien, baiting him into a throw that the inside linebacker picked off at the Pittsburgh 20-yard line.

“We did a good job of showing the quarterback one thing and doing something else and I just read his eyes and jumped the route,” Shazier said.

That’s something the Steelers are hopeful he can do more of in 2017.

With Timmons gone, the Steelers appear to be preparing to play more defenses that utilize six defensive backs instead of five, which kept both Shazier and Timmons on the field.

Now, it will be Shazier as the only inside linebacker with a cornerback – veteran William Gay manned the spot Saturday – playing next to him.

Shazier, however, has to stay healthy for that to happen. Neither Williams or Matakevich have Shazier’s playmaking or pass coverage ability.

Shazier already missed significant time in training camp with a hamstring injury. Given his value to the defense, the Steelers weren’t pushing to get him back onto the field for the preseason games. Shazier is more concerned about being available for all the games that count. For the Steelers to reach the Super Bowl, they will have to play 19 or 20 games.

“Sometimes, you’ve got to do what’s best for the team and right now, the coach and the trainers feel that’s what’s best,” Shazier said. “I’m just going to try to do my best to be here all 20 games we’re going to be playing.”

Roethlisberger completed 6 of 9 passes for 73 yards, fumbling once and leading a field goal drive on his second series. … Williams led the Steelers with eight tackles. … Outside linebacker James Harrison and wide receiver Antonio Brown also saw their first action of the preseason. Harrison had a tackle and split a sack with Williams. Brown had two receptions for 28 yards. … Landry Jones saw his first action of the preseason, completing 21 of 31 passes for 163 yards, one touchdown and one interception.