Curtis

Brown

“We drafted them a year ago with the potential of these things in mind,” said Tomlin. Keenan Lewis is first up on the depth chart, however, after impressing as the nickel back last season. While Tomlin is giving the early “nod” to Lewis, all three are in the mix.

The 95th overall pick in the draft, Brown must have suffered the injury in practice because he hasn’t played a down on defense as a rookie. He did rack up 11 special teams tackles. Assuming he doesn’t need major surgery, Brown could push for nickel duties in 2012. He had shown well in practice.

Taking over Bryant McFadden’s starting job, Gay had a nice bounce-back season before allowing a 30-yard TD to Eddie Royal in the playoff loss. The Steelers are impressed with nickel corner Keenan Lewis, though, and may look to expand his role with Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen entering in sub-packages. McFadden is not expected back.

Lewis was unable to return after going down late in the fourth quarter. He joined fellow injured corners Ike Taylor and Cortez Allen on the sideline, leaving Curtis Brown and Josh Victorian to get picked on.

Brown, in his second season out of Texas, played in all 15 games this season and recorded 28 tackles and two pass break-ups while acting as the nickel corner. The 2011 third-rounder has two years left on his rookie deal.

The Steelers couldn’t overcome the absence of top corner Ike Taylor (leg). Normal nickelback Cortez Allen was forced into a starting role and Brown got eaten up by backup slot receiver Michael Spurlock. He ended up getting replaced by practice squad callup Josh Victorian. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin should have a field day against this secondary in Week 15.

The Steelers are now projecting Gay as their new nickel back or starter opposite Ike Taylor, depending on a likely camp battle with Cortez Allen. (We expect Allen to win that competition.) Brown struggled in sub-packages last season and figures to be relegated to special teams in 2013, assuming he makes the roster.

Brown is a deep reserve in the secondary and a special teamer. The 2011 third-round pick will be a poor bet to make the final roster for the last year of his rookie deal in 2014.

Brown was a strict special teamer this season, playing just one snap on defense in seven games. He’ll be a poor bet to make the 2014 roster as he comes off a torn ACL sustained in Week 12. Isaiah Green has been promoted from the practice squad to take Brown’s place on the 53-man roster.

A 2011 third-round pick out of Texas, Brown has never started an NFL game and recorded just seven tackles in seven games last season before landing on I.R. with a torn ACL. He’s a strict special teamer.