I’m not naïve to believe one man will solve all the Pittsburgh Steelers’ run defense issues. But if there is one guy whose loss should be noted above all the others, it’s nose tackle Tyson Alualu. Shelved on IR since fracturing his ankle five quarters into this season, the Steelers have no Plan B.
Sunday was further proof of that. Backup NT Isaiah Buggs was named inactive, and the team ran with Cam Heyward and Henry Mondeaux in the middle. Neither option is appealing. Heyward can do it, but it means he takes on more double-teams and combo blocks, unable to get 1v1 on guards more often.