Joe

Burnett

Townsend’s ability to play safety may save his spot, but the Steelers drafted corners Keenan Lewis and Joe Burnett in the third and fifth rounds respectively. If both rookies prove worthy, Townsend could be in trouble.

Burnett, first-team All-Conference USA selection at Central Florida, is an undersized corner with good ball skills and kick return ability. He’ll be groomed to handle nickel or dime duties down the line.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says LCB Ike Taylor’s job is in danger, meaning the Steelers could be without both of their starting cornerbacks. RCB William Gay will be inactive due to a concussion. Rookies Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis, both used sparingly to this point, would be next in line to step in.

With Summers out, Jonathan Dwyer will take the final roster spot in the backfield. Urbik and Burnett were third-round and fifth-round picks respectively last season. The Steelers got nothing out of them. Worthington was a 2010 seventh-rounder out of Ohio State.