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NFL·September 21, 2026 07:49 AM ET

Charles Woods, Marcus Jones see expanded snap counts in 20-3 win over Steelers

The defense leaned heavily on a nickel package to cover the absence of Carlton Davis III.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Sep 211 min read
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Defensive snaps vs. Steelers: 🏈 Spent most of game in 3-CB nickel, with Charles Woods (60) rising up in absence of Car

What happened: Charles Woods played 60 defensive snaps and Marcus Jones logged 69 as the secondary deployed a three-cornerback nickel package against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The expanded roles helped anchor the unit without Carlton Davis III in the 20-3 victory.

Why it matters: The snap distribution demonstrates a reliance on roster depth, with rookies Gabe Jacas and Quintayvious Hutchins also contributing 49 and 16 snaps at outside linebacker. The heavy usage of the nickel package reflects a schematic adjustment to maintain coverage stability in the divisional matchup.

By the numbers: The result drops the Steelers to a 2-3 record on the season after being held to just three points from Chris Boswell.

What to watch: The coaching staff will evaluate the cornerback rotation based on the availability of Davis III moving forward.

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