Mike Mitchell

Then-newly acquired Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Mitchell takes questions during a news conference at the NFL football teams headquarters in Pittsburgh on Thursday, March 13, 2014. Mitchell signed a five-year contract with the Steelers. He went on to play the following season with a pair of torn groin muscles. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

(Keith Srakocic)

Not that he was giving any, but Pittsburgh Steelers safety Mike Mitchell didn't have to look far for excuses for his 2014 struggles.

In an interview with 970 ESPN over the weekend, Steelers defensive backs coach Carnell Lake revealed that Mitchell was hurt for nearly all of last season, playing with a pair of torn groin muscles.

Despite the injuries, which Lake said the team didn't know about until later, Mitchell, 27, started every game for the Steelers last year. He played free safety in a pass defense that was sixth-worst in the NFL and the worst of any team to make the playoffs.

The team allowed 4,049 passing yards last season, giving up 253 yards per game in the air and picking off just 11 passes.

It's partly

Mitchell defended three passes, forced two fumbles and made 71 tackles in the 2014 season.

He had surgery after the season and Lake said he's running at full speed.

Earlier in the offseason, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he wouldn't be opposed to moving Mitchell over to strong safety. Troy Polamalu's retirement leaves Shamarko Thomas, or someone to fill the starting spot previously owned by the likely Hall of Famer.

Mitchell's 2014 season came after he signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the team. His 16 starts were a career high, beating his previous best of 14 with the Carolina Panthers in 2013.