The Pittsburgh Steelers have started out the season 1-1 and here’s three former players that the team would benefit having back on the roster.
In Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured an impressive road win after defeating the Buffalo Bills, 23-16. It proved that Pittsburgh shouldn’t be overlooked and that maybe, just maybe, the Steelers could be one of the top teams in the AFC.
After being hit with a series of injuries before and during Sunday’s home opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh was brought back to reality with a 26-17 loss.
Now the Steelers hold a 1-1 record and enter Week 3 for their first matchup against AFC North foe Cincinnati Bengals. With a defense plagued by injuries and an offense that has struggled to score, who are three players that Pittsburgh wishes it had back?
Here’s 3 Steelers the team would love to have back
3. Javon Hargrave, DT
In 2016, Pittsburgh drafted Hargrave with the No. 89 pick in the third round of the NFL draft. Over the course of his four seasons in Pittsburgh, he totaled 168 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
After looking at the injuries that the Steelers have succumbed to since Javon left, they could surely use a player like him. Hargrave had his best season with the black and gold after he replaced injured DT Stephon Tuitt in 2019. He piled up 60 total tackles, four sacks, six QB hits, one forced fumble and seven tackles for loss.
Tuitt is great, don’t get me wrong, but he’s been dealing with personal issues and is taking time to deal with those, which is completely understandable. He also has a lingering knee injury and the Steelers aren’t sure when he’s going to be back. Not to mention, the defense took a tough blow after DE Tyson Alualu was placed on IR after he fractured his ankle in Pittsburgh’s loss on Sunday to the Raiders.
Is there any way that the Steelers can go back in time and grab Hargrave and put him on the 2021 roster? I don’t think so, especially since he signed a three-year, $39 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2020 season.
