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Tomlin: Line, secondary battles on defense enter an '11th-hour push'

In a matter of one week, Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and company will have to make some tough decisions.

The deadline to shave the Steelers' roster from 90 players to 53 is Aug. 29 and, while some spots are shored up and ready to be deployed for the season opener Sept. 10 against the 49ers, there are still several which have to be played out with practices and one final preseason test Thursday night against the Falcons in Atlanta.

Such is the case for two vital positions of Tomlin and Teryl Austin's defense, those being the depth along the line and backfield.