As the men inside the locker room at Rooney Sports Complex awaited news on Ryan Shazier's back injury the past two days, they prepared to face another physical divisional opponent.
The Steelers' defense, which seemed to always provide a lift when the offense struggled, is now without its only two regular players who have been selected to a Pro Bowl: Shazier and Joe Haden. Haden's replacement, Coty Sensabaugh, struggled mightily before he was benched in the 23-20 win over the Bengals on Monday night.
Meanwhile, Cam Heyward said there's simply no replacing what Shazier brings physically, mentally and emotionally at inside linebacker. Logic would lead one to think the health of the defense would put pressure on the offense to produce more against the Ravens on Sunday at Heinz Field.
However, that's not the case.
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