Devin Bush has had a rough go of things in the NFL. His transition from college to the pros was a bumpy one, and just when it seemed things were starting to click, Bush destroyed his ACL.
October 18 marked one year removed from Bush’s devastating injury on a non-contact play versus the Cleveland Browns.
The average time a player returns to action is 12 months, though some players believe they are not 100 percent until as many as three seasons post-injury.
Since his return, Bush has failed to make an impact. By the looks of it, he’s not mentally or physically fit to play the game. There are points where it seems having him on the field hurts the Steelers more than helps them.
Quarterbacks are picking on Bush in coverage — and succeeding. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s allowed 34 receptions on 41 targets for 306 yards, 11 first downs and two scores for a passer rating of 114.
Defending the run, Bush’s PFF grade is 27.6. He’s tackling poorly and has shown an inability to shed blockers.
Been There
Bush’s predecessor, Ryan Shazier, has some thoughts as to what could be going on. “I’m not surprised that Devin is not having the year that everybody expected,” Shazier told Steelers Wire. “I think Devin is still getting used to having something different about his body that he didn’t have before.”
Shazier certainly empathizes with Bush and understands what he’s going through.
“I remember when I sprained my MCL and was wearing a knee brace, I felt like I was the same player but I knew in the back of my head that my knee was not what it once was,” Shazier said. “That’s one thing Devin is just learning how to deal with right now. He’ll turn it around.”
When the MCL sprain sidelined Shazier for three games midway through the 2016 season, Vince Williams stepped in and had some monster games. Behind Bush on the Steelers depth chart is safety-turned-linebacker Marcus Allen and Ulysees Gilbert III.
Shazier’s advice for Bush is to try to refocus his energy from his knee to his opponent.
“I think with Devin is when you understand that you’re not 100 percent healthy or you might be a hundred percent healthy, but you have doubts on your mind when it comes to your body, just focus on the plays a little bit more and on what the other team is going to do.”
“Knowing what the other team is going to do gives you much more advantage than just your athletic ability,” Shazier added. “Devin should try to dive into the playbook a little bit more than he probably is already doing.”
“When it comes to football, it’s an every-week type of thing. If Devin catches a pick every game for the rest of the season, everybody will be like, He’s the greatest linebacker ever.”
Shazier’s football career came to a sudden halt on a routine play versus the Bengals on Dec. 4, 2017. He suffered a devastating spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed. Today, he’s a walking miracle.
“Walking Miracle” will be available on November 30.
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