The Pittsburgh Steelers currently have two safeties dealing with injuries as they ramp up their preparations to play the Kansas City Chiefs at home Sunday night and as a result of that we could see a new face or two on the defensive side of the football in that game.
With Robert Golden (hamstring) and Sean Davis (back) both unable to practice on Wednesday, fellow safety Jordan Dangerfield reportedly received reps with the first-team defense.
Justin Gilbert & Jordan Dangerfield the newest prominent members of the Steelers secondary. Former inserted into packages, latter to start.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 28, 2016
Dangerfield, who has played exclusively on special teams in the Steelers first three games of the 2016 regular season, now appears set to see action Sunday night against the Chiefs and quite possibly as a starter. The former undrafted free agent has yet to play a defensive snap in the league. Dangerfield has obviously jumped fellow Steelers safety Shamarko Thomas on the team’s depth chart despite being listed behind him on the one that was released on Tuesday.
In related news, cornerback Justin Gilbert, who the Steelers acquired via a trade with the Cleveland Browns just prior to the start of the season, said Wednesday that he believes he has a chance of playing in the secondary for the first time on Sunday. During his Tuesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin hinted that that could indeed happen in addition to Gilbert possibly being used as a kickoff returner.
CB Justin Gilbert believes his chance of playing in secondary for first time with Steelers is great on Sunday
— Ed Bouchette (@EdBouchette) September 28, 2016
