The Fan Morning show debated the influence of Troy Polamalu on the Steelers defense and whether he should play this weekend or rest his injured Achilles.

Paul Alexander thinks Polamalu should play. He believes the Steelers will lose if the safety is not on the field. But Gregg Giannotti pointed out that the Steelers won their last three games last year without Polamalu.

So, 93-7FM The Fan’s Steelers beat reporter Jon Burton caught up with Steelers’ safety Ryan Mundy to ask if he is taking reps with the Steelers first team defense. Mundy said he is ready to step in if Polamalu won’t be playing against the Raiders.

Mundy agrees that the Oakland Raiders are a better team this year, with a good running back and speedy wide receivers. Mundy said they need to get it done this weekend and thinks his improvement as a player will help the Steelers do that.