STEELERS LB BUSH SUFFERS SERIOUS KNEE INJURY
The Steelers lost secondyear inside linebacker Devin Bush to what coach Mike Tomlin called a “significant” knee injury Sunday, and a Steelers source confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post- Gazette that Bush has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
There was immediate concern among Steelers players when Bush went down with a non- contact injury after attempting to defend a pass in the flat in the second quarter of a 38- 7 victory Sunday against the Cleveland Browns. He was helped off the field and did not return. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger opened his news conference after the game with a message to Bush, saying he was sending his thoughts and prayers to him.
“It just makes you sick when someone, a young player, skilled like that, gets hurt,” the veteran quarterback said.
The Steelers selected Bush with the No. 10 overall selection in the 2019 draft, and they were hoping for big things from him in his second season. He played every defensive snap in the first four games and had taken on the responsibility of making the defensive calls in the middle of the defense.
Inside linebacker depth was a concern entering the season. The Steelers cut Mark Barron after last season, did not draft one and went into the season without any veteran depth at the position.
“Devin is a great player, high effort guy,” outside linebacker Bud Dupree said. “He’s one of the most underrated guys on the team, one of the fastest guys on the team, so anytime you lose somebody like that, it’s a big blow.
“But [ Robert] Spillane came in and did well. He communicated well. Prayers up for Devin as he goes through recovery.”
Spillane, a the third- year, reserve played well, finishing with five tackles. Spillane, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2018, signed with the Steelers last year after he was cut by the Tennessee Titans. He earned the top backup job at inside linebacker in training camp.
“Spillane more than answered the bell,” Tomlin said. “He’s a capable guy. I don’t think any of us are surprised.”
The Steelers have two other inside linebackers on their roster.
Ulysees Gilbert, a sixthround pick in 2018, has dressed for one game this season and was a healthy scratch Sunday. Marcus Allen is a converted safety who moved to inside linebacker in the middle of training camp. He has played only on special teams this season.