Should Pittsburgh Steelers starting cornerback William Gay be unable to play Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals because of a shoulder injury that he suffered in the loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, reserve cornerback Brandon Boykin would then stand to be the team’s slot defender in nickel personnel groupings. During a recent interview on Steelers Nation Radio with Missi Matthews, Steelers defensive coordinator Keith Butler was asked about Boykin’s chances of playing Sunday against the Bengals should Gay be unable to play.
“Well, if his numbers going to be called, he needs to step up, but I think he’s ready for it,” said Butler of Boykin.