CB D.J. Reed (groin) will be evaluated Sunday afternoon before the game to determine his availability for the Jets' matchup against the Steelers, according to interim HC Jeff Ulbrich.
After leaving Monday night's game versus Buffalo with a groin injury, Reed did not practice this week. If Reed does not play, CB Brandin Echols would be in line to start his second game of the season. Nickel Michael Carter II (back) and S Chuck Clark ( on IR with an ankle injury) have been ruled out as well.
"The standard is still the standard no matter who is out there, and that standard is excellence," S Tony Adams said. "It doesn't matter who goes down or who is up, we still hold ourselves to the same standard, which is being the best."
Echols, 26, has played in four games this season and registered 10 tackles, 2 pass defenses and 2 interceptions, 1 each against the Titans and Vikings. Additionally, CB Isaiah Oliver, 28, is expected to see an increase in snaps if Reed is sidelined. Over 7 seasons in the NFL, including stops in Atlanta and San Francisco, Oliver has played nickel, corner and safety.
"Brandin has already been a starter in this league," Adams said. "So, he knows how things go as a seasoned veteran. Him and Isaiah and those guys have just stepped in, and the standard hasn't dropped. Both are making a lot of plays on that ball, which is exciting, too."
As for WR Mike Williams' availability (personal reasons), Ulbrich said: "[Mike] will be playing and was full participant [Friday]. We have got a good plan that he is a part of, and we are fired up."
McDonald's Success Not a Surprise to Tomlin
Sunday's matchup will feature a pair of first-round picks who were selected consecutively in 2023 – Steelers RT Broderick Jones (pick No. 14) who will likely line up against Jets DE Will McDonald IV (No. 15).
McDonald, whose 7 sacks are the tied for the second most in the NFL, has aligned as the Jets left edge rusher on 63.1% of snaps this season (29.9% right edge). The Iowa State product has generated 23 pressures on 122 pass rushes, resulting in the fifth-highest pressure rate in the NFL (18.9%, min. 75 pass rushes).
Jones, who played at Georgia, has allowed 18 pressures and 1 sack on 173 pass blocks in 2024 (10.4% pressure rate), the 11th-highest pressure rate among 38 right tackles (min. 75 pass blocks).
"They are an aggressive group that has a lot of top-quality players up front," Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said. "I would be remiss if I didn't talk about Will McDonald, a second-year player who is playing really well and displaying game-wrecker characteristics. We looked at him a lot in draft prep when he came out. To be honest, my two favorite rushers in that draft were him and [Nick] Herbig [the Steelers took Herbig in the fourth round). Not surprised that he is doing it to the level that he is doing it.
"I have a lot of respect for their schematics. [Jeff Ulbrich] does a heck of a job as an aggressive play caller. He is still doing those duties while absorbing his interim head-coaching duties based on what he said last week. And when you watch the tape, you see that."
Steelers Surging Secondary
The Steelers defense is highlighted by All-Pro pass rushers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, but WR Garrett Wilson is not overlooking a young secondary that is No. 5 in interceptions (7) and No. 11 in passing TDs (7) this season.
"They have got a really good team and do a lot in that back end," Wilson said. "Joey Porter Jr. is a really good player. I played against him a lot in college, and he is really physical. They have got a good group. The Steelers pride themselves on playing good defense."
Porter Jr., in his second season out of Penn State, has totaled 21 tackles, 1 interception and 3 pass defenses this season. In 2021, Wilson's final season at Ohio State, he was targeted 3 times with Porter in coverage and had 2 receptions for 25 yards in the Buckeyes' 33-24 victory.
