NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ulysees Gilbert and Henry Mondeaux might sound like a presidential ticket from the 19th century, but on Sunday, they were called upon to jump aboard a moving train that was headed for 6-0.
Gilbert, a second-year inside linebacker who was the Steelers’ third sixth-round pick in 2019, played the first defensive snaps of his NFL career. And Mondeaux, an undrafted free agent two years ago, jumped right into the mix in the first game he was active on an NFL roster.
With Devin Bush out for the season, Robert Spillane stepped in as a starter at inside linebacker, but Gilbert helped out in obvious passing situations. At times he was the lone off-ball linebacker on the field in the dime defense with six defensive backs.
“I was concerned about fatigue as snaps set in, so we supplemented [Spillane] on possession downs with Ulysees Gilbert, who also did a really solid job, and together they were able to stand in for Devin,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “And not that we didn’t have complete confidence in Robert, but we didn’t want him playing 65 or so snaps. We thought he would have a better chance to play a winning performance if we kept it around 45 or so.”
Gilbert didn’t register a defensive statistic in what was his second appearance of the season. He played 13 special teams snaps and assisted on one tackle against the Eagles after playing in seven games as a rookie last season before a bad back landed him on injured reserve.
As for Mondeaux, the Steelers apparently have a 6-foot-4, 280-pound fullback now — or at least they do when starter Derek Watt is hurt. With Watt out with a hamstring injury, Mondeaux came in as the lead blocker in the jumbo formation at the 1-yard line, taking out two Titans defenders to clear the way for Benny Snell’s touchdown. Not bad for a defensive lineman who was on the practice squad most of last year and was signed to the active roster Friday ahead of his NFL debut.
Sack streak extended
If ever there was a game when the Steelers’ consecutive sack streak was in jeopardy, this was it. The Titans had only allowed five sacks in their first five games. But Vince Williams and T.J. Watt saw that the streak remained intact. Each had takedowns of Ryan Tannehill, as the Steelers have now registered a sack in 63 straight games, a franchise record.
Williams leads the NFL with 11 tackles for losses, which is tied with Joey Porter for the most tackles for loss over the first six games of a season in franchise history and tied for the 10th most in the league since 1999. Porter had 11 tackles for loss in the first six games of the 1999 season.
“There weren't a lot of shots to get on the quarterback,” defensive lineman Cam Heyward said. “We knew going into the game they hadn't given up a lot of sacks.”
Bumps and bruises
Spillane had to leave the game after hammering Derrick Henry on a goal-line stop, but he seemed no worse for wear in his Zoom interview afterward. Same goes for receiver Diontae Johnson, who exited on the Steelers’ second-to-last drive with an apparent ankle injury.
“I’m good,” said Johnson, who missed last week’s game with a back injury. “It was just a little ankle bruise or whatnot, but nothing’s going to keep me out of the game. I’m doing fine. I’ll be ready next week.”
Right tackle Chuks Okorafor also was sidelined but missed just one play. Jerald Hawkins took his place on the offensive line.
Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko. Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: October 25, 2020, 3:44 p.m.