PITTSBURGH — The defensive void left by injured inside linebacker Ryan Shazier is so considerable that two players will fill it for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Friday that Shazier’s shoulder injury that knocked him from the game during the fourth quarter last week will keep him out of Pittsburgh’s road game at St. Louis (1-1) on Sunday.

“We have some capable guys, and it’s the next-man-up attitude here,” linebacker Lawrence Timmons said. “We’ve got Vince Williams, and we’ve got (Sean) Spence. More than capable guys.”

Shazier, the Steelers’ first-round pick last year, had a 15-tackle performance last week against the 49ers. Shazier had 11 solo tackles, one dazzling 17-yard sack, three stops behind the line, a quarterback hurry, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Shazier’s 22 tackles through two games are fourth best in the NFL.

He left last Sunday’s win late with a stinger

It prevented him from practicing all week, forcing Shazier to miss the eighth game of his young career.