Steel City doesn’t fear strange storylines; they expect them. Last season in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watched a young quarterback exit, only for Joe Flacco to enter and spoil the party for the Steelers’ defense. That lesson lingered, a warning shot as Pittsburgh preps for the Minnesota Vikings’ “grizzly veteran” starting quarterback, Carson Wentz. Tomlin isn’t spooked by the switch; he knows exactly what a seasoned quarterback on a new team can do when the stakes rise. The chessboard just changed, and the Steelers’ defense knows every move will count.

Mike Tomlin cut right to the chase in this week’s media session, rolling out memories from last September. “I don’t necessarily view it as a negative thing for the Minnesota Vikings, at least in the short term, that Carson is playing for them. We were in a similar situation a year ago; we were playing in Indianapolis. Man, and I commented to the guys, ‘Keep [Anthony] Richardson upright. Don’t put Flacco in the game.’ And you know, Flacco ended up in the game.” That 27-24 loss against the Indianapolis Colts stung for Pittsburgh, and Tomlin wasn’t handing out empty warnings. His team paid the price for letting a craft veteran squeeze onto the field.

Carson Wentz might be Minnesota’s short-term fix with JJ McCarthy sidelined, but he’s far from a simple placeholder. Wentz’s Week 3 tape wasn’t spotless, but he moved the ball with confidence, earning the moniker of a “grizzly veteran” from Tomlin. In Week 3 vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, he took 3 sacks, but threw for 173 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Vikings offense looked energized, stretching the field and forcing the defenses to work backward. With the Steelers’ own defensive woes, Wentz could actively shift the momentum. 

Week 4 in Ireland will have the Steelers focusing on bottling up Carson Wentz’s improvisational streak and deep throws. Coach Tomlin has promised better 3rd down outcomes against offenses moving forward. “I expect us to continually work and get better in some of those spaces.” The last international game for the Steelers also serves as a strong inspiration to do better this time around. That was a 2013 trip to London for a 34-27 loss against the Vikings. That history isn’t just a shadow; it’s fuel.

But heading to Ireland, the Steelers also face some question marks around their battered and bruised. As the strategy shifts for containing Carson Wentz, Pittsburgh is also patching holes across its defense.

Injury setbacks are rearranging Mike Tomlin’s game plan

The latest injury updates out of Steel City have painted a raw picture. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is OUT with an ankle injury, robbing the pass rush of a major disruptor. He hasn’t been listed on the IR, so his injury might be a short-term setback. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. sits as questionable after aggravating his hamstring, while safety DeShon Elliott is also a game-time decision with a knee injury. But there’s cause for optimism.

As Mike Tomlin notes, “DeShon Elliot and Joey Porter certainly have a chance. I just saw DeShon working out… We’ll work those guys this week and let the amount of their participation and the quality of their participation be our guide.” Cornerback Darius Slay, on the other hand, is working through an ankle injury he suffered in Week 3 vs. the New England Patriots. But Coach Tomlin believes he should be ready for action. “Slay was in and out of the game a few times with a leg contusion. It may slow him at the early portions of the week, but certainly expect him to be available for us.”

Highsmith’s status elevates T.J. Watt’s responsibilities on the edge, with backup linebackers likely rotating under pressure. If Porter Jr. can’t anchor the secondary, and if Elliot’s knee limits his mobility, Minnesota’s offense could hand Carson Wentz tempting avenues for quick strikes. Slay’s probable tag is promising for the secondary, but any setbacks could force even further rotation. It’s a chess match for Pittsburgh’s coaching staff. Balancing the health of the starters along with filling the gaps in their secondary, can the Steelers snatch a third win for themselves? If not, that old international history against the Vikings could repeat itself.