PITTSBURGH — Ike Taylor’s skin — the figurative kind — has grown thick over a decade developing a reputation as one of the NFL’s better cover guys.

The veteran Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback is relying on that mental toughness to get him through the most difficult stretch of his career.

Following a brutal night in which the most experienced member of Pittsburgh’s secondary was beaten relentlessly in a stunning 26-23 loss to Tennessee last week — surrendering the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter chief among his missteps — Taylor understands teams no longer fear throwing his way.

“They’re going to try me,” Taylor said. “Why wouldn’t you? I’ve got 10 years of tape. I know going into the game that’s going to happen.”

Only it seems to be happening with more regularity for Taylor. Typically charged with covering an opponent’s No. 1 receiver, Taylor has found himself on the wrong end of pass completions in critical situations through the season’s first month for the Steelers (2-3), who play at Cincinnati (3-3) on Sunday night.

Even Taylor allows his performance isn’t quite up to the level. Then again, neither is the rest of the defense for a team that hasn’t gotten off to its usual fast start under coach Mike Tomlin.

“It’s all correctable,” Taylor said.

It’s a refrain the team has issued repeatedly since a season-opening 31-19 loss.