Steelers injuries: Problems mount for Pittsburgh cornerbacks

In the last two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three cornerbacks because of injuries. That's not going to help matters with a trip to Dallas planned for this weekend, writes F. Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter.

Cortez Allen and Keenan Lewis each had hip flexor injuries in Sunday's loss to the San Diego Chargers. The week before, Ike Taylor suffered a leg stress fracture.

That has moved players like second-year cornerback Curtis Brown and Josh Victorian, who is fresh off the practice squad, into action. Brown was in coach Mike Tomlin's "doghouse," Lolley wrote, but is expected to see a lot more time now:

"More than anything, this is about it being an awesome opportunity for him to show that he's capable, to show his preparedness, to deliver for our team," Tomlin said of Brown. "Not the results that we were looking for last time out for him, but you could say that about all of us. Of course, we don't live in our fears, we live in our hopes. ... He has an opportunity to respond to a less than ideal performance the last time out."

Taylor's streak of 135 consecutive games played snapped because of his injury. The streak spanned since 2004. Taylor is "doing everything he can to get back on the field."

The Steelers' pass defense was exposed by Philip Rivers in the 34-24 loss Sunday. Rivers only passed for 200 yards, but he threw for three touchdowns and no interceptions.