Steelers LB Patrick Queen wants to ‘shut down’ former teammate, NFL rushing leader

The Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) host the Los Angeles Chargers (2-0) in one of the more anticipated Week 3 matchups, but for linebacker Patrick Queen, it’s more than just a battle of undefeated teams.

Before joining the Steelers this offseason, Queen spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. 

This week, he gets to come face to face with some of his former teammates, but there’s no one he is more excited to bring down than running back J.K. Dobbins, who is currently the NFL’s rushing leader.

“I love J.K. Still one of my best friends, still talk to him to this day. He’s just a great guy, a great player,” Queen said. “I’m happy to see him getting back to himself, but as far as me, I want to shut that down. He’s the leading rusher right now, so just being able to go out there and shut him down would give me bragging rights and help this team win.”

Dobbins has played in just nine games over the past three seasons due to injuries.

He tore his ACL ahead of the 2021 season, which forced him to miss the entire year. In 2022, Dobbins played in only eight games due to a separate knee issue, and then last season he tore his Achilles in Week 1.

However, Queen has never doubted Dobbin’s talent.

“He’s got everything. He’s got vision. He’s got the speed. He’s got the burst. He’s just all around a good back,” Queen added. “He can do every single thing on the field, and I think people might have underestimated him this year, knowing that he had the injuries.”

Dobbins has proven just that while rushing for a league-leading 266 yards through the first two weeks of the season.

While Dobbins has been taking advantage of his second chance in the NFL, Queen notes that he is a benefactor of offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s system.

“I faced it for three years in practice,” Queen continued. “It’s smash-mouth football, January-type football. He’s going to see if he can test you, test your will. That’s what we got to go out there and try to stop.”

Stopping the Chargers’ run game is the Steelers’ No. 1 priority, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be challenges in the pass game, either.

Quarterback Justin Herbert has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL since being drafted in 2020 when he was named the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Queen knows Herbert brings challenges of his own.

“He can make every single throw on the field. He’ll take chances and get the ball into places that most quarterbacks can’t,” Queen concluded. “He’s one of the top five quarterbacks in this league.”

It’s safe to say Pittsburgh’s defense will have its hands full on Sunday, but with the chance to get bragging rights and stay undefeated, fans may just see the best version of Queen in Week 3.