View from Pittsburgh: Joe Haden's return could be big factor vs. Patriots

PITTSBURGH — On the day the Steelers officially called an end to Ryan Shazier's season, they got a glimmer of hope they might possibly get another key piece of their defense back for their biggest regular-season game of 2017.

Mike Tomlin said Tuesday injured cornerback Joe Haden will resume practicing this week as the Steelers (11-2) prepare to host the Patriots (10-3) Sunday at Heinz Field.



While the 39-38 win Sunday over the Ravens clinched a playoff spot, this game could decide who has home field advantage in the AFC. Getting Haden back on the field could be just the boost the Steelers need to turn things in their favor.

Haden, signed two weeks before the start of the regular season following his release by Cleveland, missed the past four games after suffering a fractured fibula in a win at Indianapolis Nov. 12.

"He's worked hard and he's done some good things," said Tomlin. "He'll be on the practice field in some form or fashion this week. The amount he'll be on the practice field will be determined by what he does out there. And, obviously, his availability will be determined by what he does out there and the quality of it.

"Joe has worked extremely hard. It was one of the most rewarding images from what I saw in the locker room Sunday night after the game was Joe Haden in his AFC North champion hat and T-shirt. He was excited about it and rightfully so. Hopefully, we get him back and competing and he can be back in the fold with us."

Shazier still an influence

As for Shazier, the Steelers made the difficult decision to end his season by placing him on injured reserve with just three regular-season games remaining. The Steelers have used one of their two IR/designated to return spots already this season on rookie cornerback Cameron Sutton, but won't do the same for Shazier.

Shazier had spinal stabilization surgery on Dec. 6 in Pittsburgh, a surgery performed by neurosurgeons and Steelers team physicians, Drs. David Okonkwo and Joseph Maroon. Defensive ends Cameron Heyward and Stephon Tuitt visited the linebacker on Tuesday, delivering an AFC North championship hat and shirt.

“Unfortunately, Ryan will not be able to contribute on the field during the remainder of this season,” Art Rooney II said in the statement announcing Shazier's status. “However, even off the field, Ryan will continue to be one of our team leaders. We know his spirit and positive outlook will help him to continue in his recovery, as well as serve as an inspiration to our team.”

The Steelers purposely didn't make a similar move with Haden, 28, despite the fracture in his lower leg. Because the fibula is largely non-weight bearing compared to the larger tibia, Haden, who had not been to the postseason in his seven seasons with the Browns, and the Steelers felt he could return more quickly than the eight weeks he would be required to sit out if he were placed on injured reserve.

Veteran Coty Sensabaugh and Sutton have combined to replace Haden, with Sensabaugh starting and playing the whole game in wins over Tennessee and Green Bay, but splitting time with Sutton the past two weeks against Cincinnati and Baltimore.

But Sensabaugh also injured his shoulder in the win over the Ravens, leaving his availability against the Patriots in doubt.

Man coverage or zone?

With Haden this season, the Steelers have had one of the best pass defenses in the NFL, one the Steelers thought might be capable of matching up better against the Patriots than they did a season ago. Tom Brady picked apart the Steelers in both man and zone situations in last season's AFC Championship Game, throwing for 384 yards and three scores.

“I feel like we’re in a better position to (play man-to-man), and we have practiced it more, globally speaking, over the course of a 12-month calendar,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see what it looks like.”

In the eight games Haden started and completed, the Steelers allowed an average of 180 yards passing per game with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks posted a passer rating of just 68.9.

In the past four games without Haden, the Steelers are giving up 243.8 yards passing per game, with eight touchdown passes and five interceptions, good for a passer rating of 88.4.

More important, with Haden in the lineup, the Steelers have given up an average of 16.4 points per game. Without him, that figure rises to 25.8.

Not having Shazier, however, also affects that.

The Steelers used Sean Spence, Arthur Moats and L.J. Fort at various times to replace their leader in interceptions, passes defensed and tackles. And that could continue as the team tries to adjust for life without Shazier, who also was the team's defensive play caller, a job now picked up by a combination of linebacker Vince Williams and corner William Gay.

"It's probably not a one-week thing," Tomlin said. "It's probably a multiple-week thing in terms of finding that balance and the distribution of the many jobs he did for us this year. We'll continue with that. We've got to be better than we were (against Baltimore)."

Having Haden back could certainly help that. But, Tomlin cautioned there are still barriers to be crossed, especially with a player who is new to the team such as Haden.

"He hasn’t played for a number of weeks," Tomlin said. "He hadn’t been with us for a long period of time even prior to that, so I don’t know what getting back on the horse is going to look like. I don’t know what his availability is going to look like, because this is the first time I’ve come off an injury with Joe. We’re going to do what’s appropriate, not only with his level of health and confidence, but also the competitive aspect of it. Our goal is to win the game, and if Joe is capable of being a part of that, then we’d be excited about it.”