Steelers inside linebackers rise to challenge after knee injury to Cole Holcomb

When it comes to pre-game introductions, the Pittsburgh Steelers like to take an inclusive mentality.

Which is why more than 11 players have their name announced over the public address system at Acrisure Stadium.

Such is the belief in their veteran inside linebackers that Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon Alexander have gotten the spotlight treatment even though just two of them occupy the field at the same time.

“We introduced three inside linebackers for a reason,” coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday after a 20-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans. “We just feel like we’ve got three starter capable guys.”

Unhappy with the inside linebacker production last season, the Steelers signed Holcomb, Roberts and Alexander in free agency — the latter coming aboard after training camp had started. When the Steelers signed Alexander, they could not have known what would transpire in the first half Thursday night, but they were prepared for such a significant event.

With Holcomb being carted off the field after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a fluke collision with teammate Keanu Neal, the Steelers lost their co-leading tackler and the hub of communication in the middle of their defense.

Although Roberts and Alexander banded together to help the Steelers exit with a victory — Alexander had the game-sealing interception in the end zone with 6 seconds left in the game — their injured teammate wasn’t far from their minds.

“We’re going to play for him,” Alexander said. “We’re going to check on him and play for him the rest of the season.”

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Holcomb was released from a hospital Friday after staying overnight for observation. He is expected to make a full recovery. In the meantime, the Steelers will play their final nine regular-season games without him.

“It’s the next-man-up mentality, but those guys have been … they’re all alphas in the middle,” outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. “They all want to be out there as much as possible. Obviously, we feel for Cole. But when those guys stepped in, we didn’t miss a beat.”

Alexander played a season-high 86% of the snaps, logging 64 of a possible 74 plays. Roberts continued serving in his primary role as a run stopper on early downs and played exactly 50% of the snaps against the Titans. That’s an uptick from the 40% he has played for the season.

Roberts led the Steelers with nine tackles, including one for a loss.

“Our hearts go out to Cole,” Tomlin said, “but Elandon, we’ve got a great deal of confidence in him.”

Holcomb had played 77% of the defensive snaps — tops among the inside linebacker trio. Second-year linebacker Mark Robinson didn’t play on defense Thursday, but he could be tasked with stepping up and contributing.

Alexander also figures to take on an expanded role. And if his last-second interception of Titans rookie Will Levis is any indication, he’s up to the challenge.

“That’s a great veteran who has been in the game for a while,” cornerback Patrick Peterson said. “He understands that if one play got us early in the game, the play-calling on the other side is going to keep it in their back pocket. They did pull it out, and Kwon recognized it and picked the ball off for us.”

Two plays earlier, Levis looked deep down the middle for tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo. Rookie corner Darius Rush dropped a potential interception. Alexander had an inkling the Titans would draw up a similar play with 11 seconds remaining and the ball at the Steelers 19. Sure enough, Levis looked for tight end Josh Whyle at the goal line.

“I saw how the tight end released, and I knew he was coming behind me, so I set up under it,” Alexander said. “It was just preparation and studying and knowing what to do.”

Such instinctiveness is one reason the Steelers added Alexander in free agency. Watt and Alexander admitted the defense had some communication lapses in the first half when Levis had 153 yards passing.

The Steelers already were playing without free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who relays the signals in the secondary, and then they lost Holcomb. Alexander’s presence helped the Steelers get back on track.

“Any time a guy like Cole goes down, a guy that does a lot of talking, we need to emphasize the communication,” Watt said. “Especially when we are playing at home and the fans are going crazy, it makes it a little more difficult. I feel like we did a better job in the second half, for sure.”