The Pittsburgh Steelers are hurting at exterior linebacker. Star go rusher T.J. Watt is sidelined after struggling a pneumothorax from a dry needling therapy. Nick Herbig could not have the ability to play on Sunday versus the Detroit Lions due to a hamstring harm.
To handle the depth points, the Steelers signed Jeremiah Moon from the Carolina Panthers’ apply squad. However followers observed a way more completed go rusher, Matthew Judon, was additionally obtainable.
So, why didn’t the Steelers pursue Judon? Insider Mark Kaboly thinks Moon is a greater choice in case of extra accidents.
“Moon was right here all final 12 months, and he was right here in camp,” Kaboly mentioned Friday on the PM Workforce on 93.7 The Fan. “My thought is that they wanted this man to play instantly. There was no warming as much as it. They could want this man, is dependent upon what occurs, if Highsmith goes down, no matter, they might want him to play 50, 60 snaps. Judon would clearly be restricted, by no means being on this system.”
In a vacuum, the distinction between Jeremiah Moon and Matthew Judon is big. In three years, Moon has performed in 22 video games with two begins. He has 21 complete tackles with one deal with for a loss and two compelled fumbles.
In the meantime, Judon is on his tenth NFL season and has extra profession sacks than Moon has video games performed. Judon has 72 profession sacks to go together with 429 complete tackles and 95 tackles for a loss. He has additionally compelled 9 fumbles and recovered 4.
So on paper, Matthew Judon is the higher NFL participant. That’s why some persons are scratching their heads over this. Why would the Steelers convey again Jeremiah Moon slightly than herald Judon?
The phrase “convey again” is doing numerous heavy lifting right here, in line with Kaboly. The Steelers, at instances this season, needed to throw gamers into the fireplace fairly shortly. Security Kyle Dugger performed nearly each single snap in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts regardless of barely training with the workforce. WR Adam Thielen performed round half the snaps in his debut in an identical state of affairs to Dugger.
So, why would the Steelers not do the identical right here? Both they really feel like the surface linebackers have a harder job than their large receivers and safeties, or they simply belief Jeremiah Moon they usually may simply get him. They didn’t really feel like there was anybody at large receiver or security that they felt the identical method.
Hopefully, gamers keep wholesome on Sunday so Moon doesn’t need to tackle a serious function. But when he does, Steelers followers might be watching very intently. They’ll additionally wait to see if and when Matthew Judon makes his debut with the Buffalo Payments after they signed him to their apply squad. As a result of if Judon goes on to make an impression, everyone knows followers won’t be proud of the Steelers selecting Jeremiah Moon over Matthew Judon.
