When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran inside linebacker Elandon Roberts in free agency, the move was made with run defense and a downhill, physical presence in mind.
So far, that’s been exactly what Roberts has been to the Steelers. But with veterans Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander now lost to season-ending injuries, Roberts will have to do more than just defend the run and be a downhill, physical presence. He’ll have to handle some of the workload in coverage, too.
For head coach Mike Tomlin, there’s a belief in Roberts there, even though the Steelers weren’t utilizing him in coverage early in the season.