Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Darius Slay was forced to leave with a concussion early in the second half. He’s been officially ruled out of their week six matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury happened on a tackle in the first half when Slay went head-to-head with Chargers’ Kyle Dugger. The Steelers would end up losing the game 25-10, a tough overall night for the Steelers.
After the collision, Slay was checked for a concussion and did not return to action. His absence forced Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin to shake up the Steelers’ defensive lineup. Next man up was James Pierre, who started at outside cornerback. In turn, Jalen Ramsey moved to safety due to the added depth at cornerback, which Tomlin mentioned was a positive development of the change. Brandin Echols has been getting some run in the slot, really showing the plan the team is employing to help overcome Slay’s absence.
If anyone should be trusted to make the move from cornerback to safety work, it’s Tomlin. He praised the team’s ability to pivot its defensive scheme in response to injuries. He remarked on Slay’s uncertain status following the game, stating, “We’ll see where this week leads us,” leaving fans and analysts awaiting updates on the cornerback’s recovery.
Darius Slay has been a wonderful addition to the Steelers defensive backfield this year. His absence immediately puts the team’s defense into question as they look ahead this season. It proved to be a daunting task for the Steelers’ defensive line without Slay to start the game against a dangerous Chargers’ offense. So as the Eagles get ready to face the Dolphins next week, Slay’s health and availability will be crucial.
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