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Pittsburgh Steelers: 3 Standouts vs. Titans in Preseason Week 3

By Samuel Teets

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown pass against LeShaun Sims #36 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a touchdown pass against LeShaun Sims #36 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 30: Stephon Tuitt #91 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack in the first quarter during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on December 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 30: Stephon Tuitt #91 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after a sack in the first quarter during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Heinz Field on December 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

2. Stephon Tuitt, DE

Stephon Tuitt has been a full-time starter for four of his five seasons in the NFL. The Notre Dame product is far from being a star, but he has been a consistent force along the defensive line for the Steelers.

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In 2018, Tuitt posted his second-best season in the black and gold, recording 45 combined tackles and 5.5 sacks in 14 games. However, also showed signs of a continually developing pass rusher and appeared in opposing backfields more often than in years past.

Tuitt got off to a quick start Sunday night, sacking Mariota for a safety early in the first quarter. That was the first score of the game by either team, and the Steelers offense added to their lead shortly afterward.

Cameron Heyward, Tuitt’s running mate, was also highly involved last night. The Steelers let him play for an extended period of time and the former All-Pro racked up four tackles and a sack. Heyward shifted toward spending more time as an interior lineman last season.

While Tuitt has been a consistent contributor on the defense, a big year from him could be monumental. The Steelers have already led the NFL in sacks in each of the last two seasons. The team’s best sack artists are all returning this year. So far, Tuitt and Bud Dupree have both had big outings this preseason. Hopefully, that’s telling of what will happen during the regular season.

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