In terms of statistics, the Pittsburgh offense entering Week 7 has just been good enough to spark the Steelers. That offense, however, will take on a level of the unknown when the Jets travel to the Steel City for a Sunday night affair because veteran Russell Wilson could replace Justin Fields at quarterback.
If that fact alone was not enough of a concern for interim head coach (and still defensive coordinator) Jeff Ulbrich, the Jets' defense will be challenged because of a raft of injuries, which are expected to sideline 60 percent of the starting secondary.
"We're fortunate to have great depth at that position," Ulbrich said. "So as much as that can give you some angst, it's also exciting from the standpoint you give another guy an opportunity.
"We've been so fortunate this year to have Isaiah Oliver. He is the Swiss Army Knife back there. He's been able to play safety, nickel and corner without blinking, so he's doing a good job."
Wilson, who left Denver to sign with the Steelers, could make his first start of the season after missing five games because of injury while Fields started the first six games. Over that span, Pittsburgh (4-2) ranks No. 28 in passing (166.8 yards per game) and No. 20 in scoring (20.7 points per). After opening the season with three straight victories (the first two on the road), they dropped a pair before rebounding last week at Las Vegas.
"Where you have to count for Justin Fields is the scrambling and the quarterback runs because he'll have designed runs that aren't necessarily Russell's forte," Ulbrich said.
On Thursday, DL Quinnen Williams added, addressing a question on preparing for two quarterbacks:: "For sure, both of them can run and are super athletic. Both make great throws and Justin showed this year that he can be elite and one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The throws he can make, extending plays with his feet and making explosive plays with his feet. And everyone knows that Russell Wilson is an elite quarterback on his own. So, getting ready for both of them is a great challenge."
For the Jets (2-4), who could face Wilson for the second straight season, the challenge will be replacing Michael Carter II (back) and D.J. Reed (groin). Carter tweaked his back before the Jets faced Minnesota in London and has missed two games. Reed sustained his injury last week against Buffalo. And safety Chuck Clark (ankle) also was hurt against the Bills and has been placed on injured reserve, which means he'll miss a minimum of four games.
That's where the Jets' depth will have to come into play. Oliver, signed in free agency, has played well all over the defensive backfield. Ashtyn Davis could join Tony Adams as the safeties and Brandin Echols will likely get the start along with Sauce Gardner, with Oliver as the slot corner. Echols stepped in when Reed missed the Week 2 win at Tennessee with a sore knee, took snaps when Gardner missed time against the Vikings and took 23 snaps in place of Reed last Monday night.
As the offense has yet to find a consistent footing, the defense has helped to keep the Jets alive, even during the current three-game losing streak. The Jets are No. 2 in the NFL in a host of statistical categories: yards per game allowed (273), passing yards per game (148.8) and passing TD allowed (4). In addition, second-year DL Will McDonald IV leads the team with 7 sacks (for 48 yards) and 6 TFL.
The heart of the Jets' defense -- veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley -- returned to the field for 9 snaps against Buffalo. He injured a toe against the Titans (taking 16 snaps) and missed 3 games before the Bills game.
"I thought last week was a great just, get him warmed up, get him integrated again, because he's missed quite a bit of time and the healthier he gets, the more he'll play for us," Ulbrich said of Mosley.
In Mosley's absence, Jamien Sherwood has stepped into the breach and played well.
Asked how Sherwood has done in the 'Mike LB role, linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg said on Thursday: "Awesome. Awesome. He's learned a lot from C.J. and the linebackers who have been here. All the young man does is work, work and his offseason study is paying off."
Through the six games this season, Sherwood, who played safety in college at Auburn, is the Jets' leading tackler. He has a combined total of 53 (35 solo) to go with 3 TFL and a pass defense.
"And his leadership, having a chance to be around our room C.J. Mosley and our defense, you can see him really commanding the huddle ... great communication," Rutenberg said.
