Steelers CB Cam Sutton returns from 8-game suspension hoping to find a role on elite defense

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Cam Sutton doesn’t believe he has to prove anything to anyone. Pittsburgh Steelers The veteran defender is trying to hit the reset button on his career.

He was sitting at his locker on Monday, his first full day at work in two months. suspended for eight matches Since violating the league’s personal conduct policy, the 29-year-old is focused on establishing himself on a team that has done just fine without him.

The Steelers entered the second half of the season with a 6-2 lead in the AFC North; Undrafted rookie free agent Beanie Bishop and his three interceptions are in good shape while taking some of the snaps created by Sutton’s absence.

Sutton didn’t become invisible during the suspension — he said he was able to attend some meetings, for example — but now he finds himself trying to jump on a moving train, as coach Mike Tomlin often likes to put it.

“I’m working on staying ready and doing everything I have to do,” Sutton said.

And we are going through a difficult period both in his career and in his life.

Sutton spent the first six seasons of his career in Pittsburgh, previously creating a role that relied heavily on his versatility. 33 million dollar agreement is signed In Detroit in the spring of 2023. He only served one year with the Lions. Who released him in March? After a warrant was issued for Sutton’s arrest in Florida for a domestic incident.

The case ended with Sutton entering a pretrial diversion program in April after the charges were reduced from felony to misdemeanor battery. His agreement with prosecutors required Sutton to undergo a mental health evaluation.

The Steelers received a flyer on Sutton. bring it back He signed a one-year contract in June and is aware he still faces potential discipline in the league. He served in various positions during training camp before serving his sentence.

Sutton is willing to do whatever is asked for a defense that ranks second in the NFL in points allowed, fourth in receiving yards and ninth in yards receiving.

“I play football, man,” he said. “I don’t care what position it is. “I can be on the offensive line, I don’t really care.”

Pittsburgh is relatively at corner, where Joey Porter Jr. is spending his second season showing signs of becoming one of the elite players at the position and Donte Jackson has already picked off three passes.

Sutton figures to be a better fit at the nickel position, where he excelled during his first stint with the team, but Bishop, an undrafted rookie free agent out of West Virginia, has more than held his own.

“He’s really enjoying the ball right now,” Sutton said of Bishop. “He just takes it one day at a time and good things happen for him.”

Defenseman Patrick Queen sees Sutton’s return not as a threat to Bishop’s playing time, but as a chance for one of the league’s best defenses to get even better.

“(He’s) a physical cat, a guy who can hold his own,” Queen said. “It’s extremely reassuring that he’ll communicate really well.”

The defense Sutton returns to doesn’t look much different than the defense he left after 2022. Minkah Fitzpatrick still quarterbacks the defense from his safety spot. TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith are still one of the best edge rushing duos in the league. Cam Heyward is still a problem for opponents on defense.

Rather, the Steelers have only improved on that side of the ball, mixing it up with different substitution packages that can create matchup problems.

“We do a great job of giving teams different looks, tracking quarterbacks the way we should and of course winning the field position game, getting off the field, causing turnovers and getting the ball back for the offense,” Sutton said.

Sutton was impressed by what she saw in the film. Pittsburgh wants its perspective to return to the one it’s accustomed to when it visits surprise NFC East leader Washington on Sunday.

‘I love our group,’ Sutton said. “I like the continuity of our guys. I spent a lot of time with our guys; “It’s a group that is hungry, loves to play together, and is excited to be with kids.”

Sutton didn’t talk much about his off-field development, saying only he knows what he needs to do for the “big picture.”

The thumbnail will become clear next weekend when Sutton’s No.20 will be back on the field in a major game for the first time in 10 months.

“It’s hard being outside, not doing what you love to do,” he said. “(But) I’m ready to roll. Whatever it is, whatever (they ask me), I’m ready to roll.”

___

AP NFL: