Steelers Next ILB Ready to Play

The Pittsburgh Steelers will likely turn to another new face this week.

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers could lose their third inside linebacker this season after Elandon Roberts left Week 13 with a groin injury and was unable to return. Now, it's uncertain whether or not the veteran will be able to play on a short week against the New England Patriots. If he doesn't, the team will turn to another new face to fill his role. 

In the midst of losing Kwon Alexander and Cole Holcomb to season-ending injuries, the Steelers signed veteran Blake Martinez off of the Carolina Panthers practice squad. After arriving in Pittsburgh two weeks ago, he's been inactive on gamedays as he continues to learn and develop within the offense. 

But with Roberts sidelined, it appears he'll finally get a shot to make his Steelers debut. 

"Once I got here, I was like, I'm putting the pedal to the metal. I think it's everybody's mindset that you're a backup until you're not," Martinez told All Steelers. "So, you've got to make sure you're ready to go, prepare that way, and I've been doing that."

The 29-year-old has 78 games of starting experience under his belt in the NFL and will likely be called on to start alongside Mykal Walker in Week 14. It'll mark the first game this season where neither of the Steelers' starting inside linebackers were on the team to start the season. 

"Super comfortable," Martinez said about his chemistry with Walker and Robinson. "I think it's a great group across the board. Everyone comes to work every day wanting to get better. And it's also helped me out since I've gotten here."

Walker will most likely wear the green dot in the scenario, but Martinez has experience operating the play calls as well, and if his name is called against the Patriots, he's ready for whatever role they put him in.

"It's been something that I've always done," Martinez said on being the defense's communicator. "Whatever they ask, I've told them I'm ready to rock. I don't care if it's waterboy all the way to playing quarterback. I don't care."

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