Deshea

Townsend

Townsend has served as a defensive backs coach for six NFL teams since 2011. He took on defensive passing game coordinator responsibilities as well while with the Jaguars from 2022-2023 before spending the 2024 season with the Lions in similar roles. The Lions’ defense has played well despite suffering myriad injuries this season, no doubt impressing head coaches across the league.

He’ll wear a small cast on his broken hand. Former starter Chad Scott, who missed most of the season, will play nickel corner. Willie Williams will start opposite Townsend.

They will insert pins and keep a cast on for two weeks. He should be ready to play by the AFC playoffs.

Bryant McFadden or Ricardo Colclough would start in his place.

He’s held down the spot with consistency for over two years, but second-year pro Bryant McFadden was expected to pass him this time around. Pittsburgh has solid depth in the secondary.

Reason #4080 why CB/S is the most unpredictable IDP position. The top twenty has relatively little carry-over year-to-year.

He leads NFL defensive backs with four sacks and is tied for third in the AFC with four interceptions. This is his first full season as a starter.

Townsend won’t get a chance to match up with WR Chad Johnson. Instead, CBs Ike Taylor and Willie Williams will try to slow Johnson down. Good luck, guys.

“It doesn’t look like he is going to go,” coach Bill Cowher said. Bad news for the Steelers, who need all the healthy defensive backs they can get against WR Chad Johnson Sunday.

If Townsend plays, he is expected to be used in nickel assignments. Willie Williams was also added to the injury report as questionable. The Steelers will be in trouble if both cornerbacks miss the Bengals game.