Mike Tomlin puts Steelers secondary 'on notice' for Week 10 game against Commanders

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin advised “everybody in the secondary to be on notice” because of the return of versatile defensive back Cameron Sutton.

After serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Sutton is eligible to play for the AFC North-leading Steelers (6-2) against standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the NFC East-leading Washington Commanders (7-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday.

The question now is where Sutton will play.

Sidestepping speculation about whether Sutton would supplant rookie Beanie Bishop as the nickel back, Tomlin called them “two separate discussions.” Instead, he noted that Sutton, before signing with the Detroit Lions, showed in his previous six-year stint with the Steelers that he’s “capable of playing anywhere in the secondary” from slot to outside cornerback, in the nickel and dime and even at safety.

“One of the things that makes Cam so interesting and invaluable to us, he is a utility back,” Tomlin said Tuesday afternoon at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side. “His football, intellect and physical capabilities (are) such that that he can play anywhere. And he has to, to be quite honest with you. … And that versatility, that utility component is a is a major attraction to us.”

Tomlin wasn’t shy about sharing that he’s feeling “really awesome” coming off the bye, and not just from a strategic standpoint after a week of self-scouting and evaluation. He expressed optimism that the Steelers could have a handful of injured players return, naming defensive back Cory Trice Jr., linebackers Nick Herbig and Tyler Matakevich, running back/kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson and center Zach Frazier as candidates, depending on their participation in practice this week.

“It was also a good week for those who are leaking a little bit or lack 100% health to regain some of that and get on a moving train, if you will,” Tomlin said. “We got a lot of guys who’ve been out who have a chance this week, man. We’ll be watching their participation on a variety of levels to determine whether or not they’ll be included or not.”

Tomlin said the Steelers spent the bye week “pondering those possibilities how to better divide up labor as we get capable people back to us.” That Frazier and Sutton are candidates to crack the starting lineup isn’t viewed as a problem by Tomlin.

“That’s a first world problem, if that’s a problem,” Tomlin said. “Having guys that are capable and guys that have ascended and perform well in their absence and the complications of infusing them back into the fold again is a problem that I welcome, if you want to describe it as that. And so that’s what the bye week was about for us.”