Former undrafted free agent Dylan Cook dazzled in his first NFL start with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. Against a desperate Detroit Lions squad in Week 16, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is calling for an encore.
In a Q&A with Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola, Tomlin said Cook would start in at Detroit on Sunday. Cook will remain the team’s starting left tackle despite veteran Andrus Peat clearing the concussion protocol.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to anoint anybody for the rest of the season,” Tomlin said of left tackle in the Q&A. “That’s just the urgency in which we’re living right now. It’s week-in and week-out.
“Certainly [Cook] did enough, and I’m thankful for his contributions in the construction of victory on Monday night. He’ll start and play this weekend, and we’ll see where it leads us.”
Sunday will be the fourth consecutive game the Steelers will be without No. 1 left tackle Broderick Jones. The 24-year-old landed on injured reserve nearly a month ago because of a neck injury he sustained against the Chicago Bears on November 23.
Peat started the first two games without Jones. On December 7, Peat exited with a concussion.
In his first ever NFL action, Cook replaced Peat for the remainder of Week 14. Cook then made his first NFL start Monday against the Miami Dolphins.
Cook, though, will start at left tackle for the Steelers vs. the Lions with a backup also at left guard. The Steelers ruled out starting left guard Isaac Seumalo on Saturday.
An hour and a half before kickoff in Detroit, the Steelers included Seumalo, along with edge rushers T.J. Watt and Nick Herbig, defensive back James Pierre, wide receiver Roman Wilson, running back Kaleb Johnson, and quarterback Will Howard on their inactive list for Week 16.
Howard will serve as the team’s emergency No. 3 quarterback for the contest.
Steelers Trusting Depth Along Offensive Line vs. Lions
A lot of eyes were going to be on Cook in Detroit anyway. But that’s definitely going to be the case with the former undrafted rookie starting with a new lineman next to him.
Instead of Seumalo’s steady presence at left guard, Cook will presumably start next to Spencer Anderson. Peat could also be an option for the Steelers at left guard.
Furthermore, the team elevated offensive lineman Jack Driscoll from the practice squad for Week 16. Driscoll has 67 games of NFL experience at tackle and guard.
Seumalo is the most experienced starting offensive lineman in Pittsburgh this season. His absence hurts the entire offensive front, but it could particularly hinder Cook. But, at least Peat and Driscoll have experience that Cook may be able to rely on.
Cook will likely be matched up against former No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson for most of Sunday. Hutchinson has 9.5 sacks and 28 quarterback hits in 14 games this season.
The Lions sat at 8-6 and outside a playoff spot entering Week 16. But if they win the rest of their games, the Lions will have a strong chance of making the postseason.
A loss to the Steelers, though, will greatly hinder a potential Lions run.
Therefore, Cook and the Steelers should expect Detroit’s best effort in Week 16.
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