ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With their top three inside linebackers from the start of the season unavailable, the Pittsburgh Steelers made do with what they could Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
Marcus Allen made his first career NFL start during the 26-15 loss — and it was at a position (inside linebacker) he hadn’t played at any level until this past August. Allen entered Sunday with 78 career defensive snaps played in three seasons since he was a 2018 fifth-round pick out of Penn State.
At the other inside linebacker spot, although Avery Williamson was making his 82nd career start, it was his first for the Steelers. Acquired via a trade with the New York Jets on Nov. 2, Williamson’s playing time gradually increased over five games.
But Williamson was needed against Buffalo because the starters at inside linebacker for last week’s home game against Washington — Robert Spillane and Vince Williams — did not play. Spillane went on injured reserve because of a knee injury, and Williams is on the reserve/covid-19 list after an apparent positive coronavirus test.
The Steelers have been without their top inside linebacker, Devin Bush, since he suffered a torn ACL during a Week 6 win against the Cleveland Browns.
The inexperience in the Steelers defensive system will be on display against the Bills. Although Avery Williamson is in his sixth NFL season, the game will be just his fifth with the Steelers.https://t.co/eeWNaZV59v
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) December 13, 2020
Williamson wore the famed “green dot” on his helmet Sunday as the designated defensive player accepting radio communication from the sidelines to call plays.
Allen was replaced often by Ulysees Gilbert, the second-year inside linebacker who was activated off of IR this week upon recovering from a back injury. Gilbert easily more than doubled his prior career defensive snaps count of 14.
The Steelers also activated Tegray Scales from the practice squad for Monday’s game. Scales made his NFL regular-season debut, playing on special teams.
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