PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Steelers' plan in the passing game on both sides of the ball is coming into focus. Four wide receivers are logging consistent playing time in the Steelers' offensive attack, while a version of the dime defense with four cornerbacks has made its way onto the field at times during the last two weeks.

Here's a look at that rotation from the receiver and cornerback standpoint:

JuJu Smith-Schuster factor: The Steelers increased Smith-Schuster's workload in practice to "see what I can do" as an inside and outside receiver, the rookie said. The work translated into game action with 37 snaps during the 26-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. While Eli Rogers is a natural slot receiver, the Steelers see Smith-Schuster lining up all over the place, as evidenced by his streaking 4-yard touchdown off a shovel-pass play.

Smith-Schuster needs to clean up his penalties (three in the first two weeks), but the Steelers like his toughness. For example, he blew up safety Harrison Smith on an open-field block for RB Le'Veon Bell.

Using the quartet of Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant, Rogers and Smith-Schuster is an option for the Steelers, who turned to the four playmakers in an empty-set formation on the second drive Sunday. The Steelers don't want to overuse that set, and going 3-of-12 on third downs Sunday stunted any pass-happy momentum. But QB Ben Roethlisberger typically likes to play fast, which means at least three receivers at a time is the norm.

"I think once we got in that rhythm, we got in the no-huddle rhythm, and we were driving," said Roethlisberger after the game.

The Steelers always keep a rotation of at least four wideouts, but right now each of the top four is averaging more than 30 snaps per game.

Wide receiver snap counts: Overall in the first two games -- Brown (121), Bryant (91), Rogers (76), Smith-Schuster (63), Darrius Heyward-Bey (3)

Mike Hilton gaining steam: After showing consistent four-man pressure on Vikings quarterback Case Keenum, the Steelers sent a first-half blitz by slot corner Mike Hilton that threw Keenum off his mark on a third down. The near sack reminded that Hilton -- who played 83 percent of the defensive snaps Sunday, up from 52 percent in Week 1 -- has a knack for making timely plays on the ball. He showed it with blitzes in the preseason and a pass breakup in Week 1.

But former starting slot corner Will Gay is still in the mix as part of a four-man corner lineup the Steelers didn't use much the last two years, partly because they lacked the personnel. The addition of Joe Haden appears to have provided flexibility to mix and match on the inside.

At times, the Steelers have used Gay around the middle of the field in zone coverage, almost as a hybrid safety/corner. Gay is 32 and might have lost speed, but he can still make plays (see: two physical tackles in Week 1).

"If you're on a winning team, that's when you can stick around," Gay said. "If you're not, that's when you get fired. That's why I don't care about stats."

Cornerback snap counts: Overall in the first two games -- Artie Burns (130), Haden (129), Hilton (89), Gay (46)