Once a practice squad stash, Rowe's role in playoffs will still be key

Diamonds who were perhaps lost in the rough have been crucial for the Steelers' run into the postseason.

What was once considered a broken-down unit of misfit parts is about to fortify. All eyes will be on the returns of Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and Damontae Kazee (suspension) to the back-end of the Steelers' secondary, but the depth without Keanu Neal is looking less of an issue with the presence of a veteran who Omar Khan signed off of his couch.

If the Steelers had not come calling, one can only guess where Eric Rowe would be as the Steelers head into this weekend's 1:02 p.m. kickoff against the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.

"Couple of months ago I knew I would at least get on a team on a practice squad," Rowe told me after Friday's practice at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, "but as far as what's been going down the past three to four weeks, I didn't envision that."

Rowe was cut in the preseason, re-signed with the Panthers' practice squad, then was released Sept. 19 and remained a free agent for two months and one day. Neal sustained his rib injury Nov. 12 against the Packers, prompting a move to injured reserve six days later. Rowe was signed a day after the Steelers lost to the Browns Nov. 19 and provided depth on their practice squad.

Rowe was thrust into action, however, Dec. 23 against the Bengals after Fitzpatrick went down with his knee injury the week prior in Indianapolis. 

In his first regular-season game in 349 days, he made an instant impact that urned into a touchdown for the Steelers offense:

His impact became continuous. The 31-year-old proceeded to pace the team in tackles in Week 17 in Seattle, and he was the lone Steeler to post a double-digit tackle total in their Week 18 game in Baltimore. He also knocked this fumble out of Gus Edwards' hands mid-way through the fourth quarter that allowed the Steelers to get out to a 17-7 lead with 3:13 to play:

Rowe's role has somewhat coincided with Patrick Peterson moving from cornerback to safety in the final weeks of the season, and those two will now be key depth options for Teryl Austin against the Bills' multi-dimensional offense.

"I think we will kind of figure that out as we go in terms of what we think is best for this game," Austin said Thursday. "But I think they're all going to play; they’ll all have a role. What that role is, we'll have to wait and see on Sunday."

Peterson has embraced the move to safety and could see roles at that position and his natural cornerback position Sunday at the Bills. Given the weather report is calling for high winds and snow, Peterson or Rowe could be used in nickel situations as that third option, with the most likely outcome being a mix of both at parts depending on down and distance. Rowe has been a solid tackler while Peterson provides obvious skills in coverage.

"Pat did a lot of good things," Fitzpatrick said. "It's rare for a guy to make that move late in a career, late in the season. He did a really good job communicating at a high level. He was always in the right position. Definitely gave us a good look at Eric Rowe, to see what he could do. He did a great job as well."

The Steelers are in this situation with the addition of Rowe. Mike Tomlin has said the practice squad is a key part of the Steelers' makeup, with veterans who are not in developmental stages of their careers finding roles for themselves. Rowe is a former top-50 draft pick (2015) and is a two-time Super Bowl champion as a member of the Patriots. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NFL expanded practice squads from 10 to 16 and allowed for players of all ages and experience levels to be on them. The Steelers have taken advantage of his by bringing in Rowe, Myles Jack, Mykal Walker, Blake Martinez, and other veterans along for the ride. Rowe and Jack have been major pieces of this run to the postseason and will be for as long as the Steelers are in it.

"If you were just a vet and you didn't make a roster, that was about it," Rowe said. "The benefit now is if something happens me, Myles were team needs and we come in no to develop but try and help contribute to a team down to injuries. It's benefitted me and Myles because -- I know he retired but -- we can show we can still play."

Rowe's impact has brought a buzz to the locker room. After Sunday's win over Baltimore, Cam Heyward expressed "I don't know how he wasn't on a damn team." 

Now, Rowe is viewed as a key piece for what this team hopes is a long postseason run -- a run Rowe has successfully traversed twice in his career.

"He's a ball player. That boy's a play maker," Walker told me. "He moves with a vet savvy, he knows the game. He's a great dude in the locker room. He brings so much to our team on the field, but even more in the locker room."