Former Steelers Cornerback Ike Taylor Thinks Getting 'Enforcer' Damontae Kazee Back Will Be A Big Boost For Playoffs

The Pittsburgh Steelers will have their midfield enforcer back when they travel to upstate New York on Sunday to face the Buffalo Bills in AFC Wild Card action. Damontae Kazee will be back on the field for the first time since Week 15, largely thanks to the Tennessee Titans who knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars in their regular season finale to clinch a playoff berth for Pittsburgh. Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor thinks having the seven-year veteran back in the lineup will be a huge help for the team's secondary that's been banged up all year. 

The Steelers have been without Keanu Neal since he injured his ribs against the Green Bay Packers. Minkah Fitzpatrick has only played 10 of 17 games in 2023, dealing with various ailments. Kazee had been the only constant for the team at safety until he was suspended for his hit on Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. The hit and subsequent suspension that knocked Kazee out for the regular season drew a lot of comments from former players, with Tom Brady coming to his defense for the collision and former Steelers safety Mike Mitchell questioning the rules that led to the suspension. 

Taylor said on the Bleav in Steelers podcast on Tuesday that he thinks getting Kazee back into the fold will be a huge asset for the defense. 

"Damontae Kazee, man, you bringing that enforcer back," he said. "When guys come over the middle, they want to see where Kazee is at. When a quarterback is trying to drop the ball between a corner and a safety, they want to know where Kazee is at. When you want to talk about somebody with attitude and setting the tone on the back end, you talk about Damontae Kazee." 

The fifth-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 NFL Draft has taken on a bigger role than in his first season in Pittsburgh in 2022. He has started in nine of 14 games after playing in just nine a season ago. He's picked up a pair of interceptions, including a crucial game-sealer against the Packers, and has 60 total tackles compared to 20 a season ago.

Steelers Safety Room Likely Getting Added Boost For Wild Card Weekend 

Without Fitzpatrick and Kazee, the Steelers have had to get creative with their safety tandem. Veteran defensive back Eric Rowe was added to the practice squad in November and was elevated to the active roster for the team's games in Weeks 16-18. He played a tremendous role in helping the Steelers not only survive without their starting safeties, but also helped the team go on a three-game winning streak to close out the season.

Patrick Peterson was touted for his versatility when the Steelers signed him, and they even had him cover for Fitzpatrick at safety in training camp. The well-respected veteran has helped the team out by shifting from his spot at cornerback to safety during the suspension and injury. He's looked much better at safety than cornerback, but has had some lapses in tackling. 

Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin left the door open for Fitzpatrick to return to play on Sunday in Buffalo, and getting their three-time All-Pro back would be a tremendous boost. Taylor said it's even bigger to have both of them back as they've gotten used to playing alongside one another. 

It will be interesting to see how the coaching staff decides to divide up the reps at safety. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin said after Peterson played safety in Indianapolis, that he still viewed the veteran as a cornerback. With the contributions Rowe has made, it would be impossible to not include him in the game plan somehow as well.

How would you deploy the safeties against Buffalo?