The Pittsburgh Steelers' defense has had its share of injuries in 2014. One of many was the dislocated wrist of second-year outside linebacker Jarvis Jones. Jones was placed on the injured reserve/designated-to-return list after having surgery to repair the wrist injured in a Week 3 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Fans have been waiting for the return of Jones, who through three games this season had accumulated two sacks, doubling his season total from his rookie year. But Jones' wrist injury might keep the former Georgia Bulldog out of the lineup longer than once thought.

"I hope he can [return], but we'll see," Steelers linebackers coach Keith Butler told Scott Brown of ESPN.com. "A linebacker's got to be able to use his hands. If he can't use his hands, he can't play. He's defenseless, and we're not going to put him on the field if he's defenseless so we'll see."

"We'll find out when he comes back and see how he can use the hands, how much it's going to affect his wrist and the scar tissue in his wrist."

"Jarvis was really coming on."

Coach Butler's thoughts don't resonate as a ringing endorsement to see No. 95 pressuring the quarterback anytime soon, but Steelers fans should also realize where the information is coming from.

Keith Butler was also the coach who declared inside linebacker Sean Spence's potential return from a devastating knee injury as a 'miracle'. Spence has filled in as a starter for the injured Ryan Shazier this year, and has shown that, according to Butler's prognosis, miracles can happen.

While Jones continues to rehab his way back to full strength, he has been a permanent fixture beside veteran James Harrison during practices and in the film room. Not only will Jones learn a tremendous amount from Harrison, but he is realizing, if and when he returns, that he'll be happy with any role on this current team.

"James [Harrison] is having a terrific season right now," Jones said. "He brought a lot of energy. He's playing well, he's making plays and whenever I get back whatever the coaches decide, they decide. It's just going to make [the defense] that much better."

The Steelers are hoping Jones can return to full health and contribute to a defense extremely thin at the outside linebacker position.