Pittsburgh Steelers rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer and defensive lineman Yahya Black made an instant impact in their playoff debut on Monday night against the Houston Texans .
Late the first quarter, Sawyer came off the edge and stripped the ball from Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud . Black was right there to recover the loose ball.
The Texans tried to trick the Steelers with a flea-flicker but Sawyer was not fooled. Sawyer's heads up play possibly saved a touchdown, as a Texans receiver was open downfield.
Sawyer came into Monday night's game with two interceptions. He can now add a strip sack to his rookie resume.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin gave Sawyer a ringing endorsement during his weekly press conference ahead of the team's Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions . Sawyer made his first career start with T.J. Watt (lung) and Nick Herbig (hamstring) out against Detroit.
"Jack is doing what a lot of young, quality defenders do: They make the best with what you ask them to do, and they work in all areas and get better," Tomlin said. "Usually those that are playmakers on special teams eventually become playmakers on defense, and he's certainly been that for us. He's made some plays on teams. He made some plays on teams last night. And so, I'm never surprised when they transfer that playmaking to the defensive side when they get more opportunities to do so. He's had some opportunities this year, has made some plays, has had a sack, has had an interception, and so I wouldn't be surprised if he displays that readiness if he gets an expanded role opportunity this week."
Steelers All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward has seen tremendous growth from Sawyer in his rookie campaign.
"Jack is getting better every week," Heyward said. "For a rookie to be playing this year, he and Derrick [Harmon] and Yahya, they've contributed a lot to our group. They just have to keep taking steps. The more you get in these situations, the more you get counted on. Jack is no different. Jack is going to have to step up this week. We believe he can do that."
Black was selected by the Steelers in the fifth-round (No. 164 overall) of the 2025 NFL Draft following a trade down with the Kansas City Chiefs .
He stands at a massive, 6-foot-6, 336 pounds and was drafted to help Pittsburgh's run defense woes.
Black has served as the Steelers' top rotational defensive lineman since Isaiahh Loudermilk suffered an injury that landed him on injured reserve in Week 1.
Pointing out the largest player on the Steelers' roster, Black gives Heyward a run for his money. The rookie Iowa product is somewhat of an oddball, as well.
And that's exactly what Mike Tomlin's team wanted.
"He's big sexy," Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said earlier this year. "He's a great personality kid, loves ball, engaged, and active. He's got all the right things. We had him in on a visit, a draft visit, and he was the same guy then that he is now."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Steelers Rookies Make Huge Impact in Playoff Debut
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