Brett Keisel on IR could help Bengals Passing Game

Nov 17, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Brett Keisel (99) celebrates at the end of the game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field. The Steelers defeated the Titans 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their leading defensive lineman on Sunday, Brett Keisel, when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals. Keisel left last weeks game against the New Orleans Saints with a torn tricep, officially ending his 2014 season. Brett Keisel is known for his aggressive/physical style of play and has disrupted many plays in the backfield over his 12 years in the league, not to mention that beard.

This year, he has not only been an emotional leader for this defense, he has been the defensive lines leader in Pass deflections this year with five and an interception to his credit. He has 1 sack in 12 games and 17 total tackles including one for a loss. Looking at his stats in the last 12 games has proven that although he may have lost a step, he is fundamentally sound and gets his hands up often.

His absence is means that the Bengals will see a more inexperienced but quicker Stephon Tuitt, who is a rookie and Steelers second round draft pick, and rotational partner Cam Thomas, who hasn’t seen much action so far this season. Keisel was reigned by the Steelers in the off-season after the he went team-less during the free agency period. It was a smart move by the Steelers because he has been a leader emotionally and physically on the field as well as off the field.

Keisel may not be not be the quickest player on the field but his impact emotionally and his leadership skills will be missed by the Steelers and his ability to disrupt the pass will certainly benefit the Bengals offense. The Bengals will need to get a win to pull two and a half games ahead of the Steelers and depending on the rest of the division could be only a week or two away from clinching their second division title.