Chris Adamski stories, Page 115
James Conner upgraded at Steelers practice, Joe Haden again a full participant
The injury status of James Conner was upgraded Friday, providing optimism the Pittsburgh Steelers running back will be able to play during Monday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals. Conner, who is dealing with a quadriceps injury, was listed as a limited practice participant Friday on the Steelers’ league-mandated injury report....
Steelers’ Alejandro Villanueva happy for recognition for fallen soldier, downplays his role in itVideo
Alejandro Villanueva is gratified the path has been cleared for proper recognition for fallen Army sergeant Alwyn Cashe, even if Villanueva is content to downplay a role he might have played in it. Villanueva spoke publicly Friday for the first time since a bill was signed Dec. 5 that allows...
Steelers coaches laud Marcus Allen after 1st career start
Marcus Allen may or may not be asked to make his second career NFL start Monday, but coaches are saying good things about his performance in his first for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “Can’t say enough,” head coach Mike Tomlin said, “about a guy like Marcus Allen, who’s new to the...
Steelers offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner: ‘I’m not afraid to throw it deep’
Contrary to popular belief, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense has included plenty of deep passes this season. “I’m not afraid,” offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said, “to throw it deep.” While the Steelers have earned a reputation in 2020 for going “dink-and-dunk,” fans might be surprised to know that only three quarterbacks...
James Conner, Kevin Dotson sit out Steelers practice, but Joe Haden a full participant
Veteran cornerback Joe Haden was a full participant at Pittsburgh Steelers practice on Thursday, the strongest indication yet he has advanced entirely through NFL concussion protocol and will be available to play in Monday night’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals. Haden missed last week’s loss against the Buffalo Bills after...
Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster vows to keep ‘being myself,’ doing pregame logo dancesVideo
Several Buffalo Bills players said it upset and inspired them en route to a victory Sunday. But Pittsburgh Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has no plans to stop his new routine of a pregame dance on the midfield logo. “Yes, we lost, (and) they had a few words to say and...
Ben Roethlisberger: Arm ‘feels really good,’ knee ‘pretty good’ for Steelers’ stretch drive
His team has lost two consecutive games, and his personal statistical performance thus far during December has been the worst of any month this season. But Ben Roethlisberger insists any regression he is having is not related to a physical ailment. The Pittsburgh Steelers franchise quarterback refuted a national report...
Matt Feiler placed on injured reserve, leaving Steelers situation at left guard in flux
A day after leaving a game during the first quarter because of a pectoral injury, Pittsburgh Steelers starting left guard Matt Feiler was placed on injured reserve. Per the rules of IR in place for the 2020 season, Feiler cannot return to action until the playoffs at the earliest. A...
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger: ‘If I don’t play good enough football, then I need to hang it up’
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Ben Roethlisberger referred to one of his two costly interceptions Sunday as “a bad play on my part. … 110% on me.” Roethlisberger answered the next question he took during a postgame video conference call with media by saying, “I’m just not very good.” And the...
Steelers’ Diontae Johnson benched for most of 1st half after 2 more dropped passes
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Mike Tomlin made good on his threat to replace players who kept dropping passes. Even if he stuck to it for only about 25 minutes of game time. After failing to corral passes thrown to him on third downs that ended the first two Pittsburgh Steelers...
Marcus Allen makes 1st start; Ulysees Gilbert, Avery Williamson play plenty at ILB for Steelers
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — With their top three inside linebackers from the start of the season unavailable, the Pittsburgh Steelers made do with what they could Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Marcus Allen made his first career NFL start during the 26-15 loss — and it was at a position...
Steelers down to 4th-string left guard after injuries to Matt Feiler, Kevin Dotson
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Pittsburgh Steelers lost not one but two left guards to pectoral injuries during Sunday night’s loss to the Buffalo Bills. Starter Matt Feiler left during the first quarter, and rookie backup Kevin Dotson did not play after suffering his injury during the third quarter. Coach...
Anthony McFarland benched by Steelers for Bills game
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Anthony McFarland led the Pittsburgh Steelers in rushing attempts during last week’s game. This week, he was benched. McFarland was deemed inactive for Sunday night’s Steelers game at the Buffalo Bills. The return of starting running back James Conner took an available gameday roster spot, and...
With up to 10 starters set for free agency, is 2020 a ‘last ride’ for Steelers as we know them?
There, technically, was a period of a few months earlier this year during which T.J. Watt was in the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In a no-brainer decision, the Steelers exercised their fifth-year option on Watt in April, extending him through 2021. And Watt’s status as...
Even after Steelers’ loss to Washington, history gives Super Bowl hopes
Eleven years ago, two teams chasing the rarest of NFL achievements, the undefeated season, took divergent approaches. Their regular-season results were similar. But only one got the ultimate prize. Now that the chances of a Pittsburgh Steelers’ quest for an immortal 19-0 championship 2020 season have been eliminated, are there...
Four Downs: Bevy of drops, in part, result of Steelers’ style of passing gameVideo
1. Dropped calls Depending on the criteria, the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the NFL in dropped passes or are near the top of the list. And while coach Mike Tomlin is right in holding the receivers accountable, the fact is the Steelers’ scheme is in some ways contributing to the team’s...
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger on historic pace for pass attempts
As MLB increasingly protects the arms of its pitchers, this era has seen NFL quarterbacks throwing more than ever. And among them, none has been on a higher “pitch count” in recent years than Ben Roethlisberger. For the second consecutive full season Roethlisberger has played — he missed all but...
Maurkice Pouncey activated off Steelers’ covid list
The Pittsburgh Steelers activated veteran center Maurkice Pouncey from the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list Friday, clearing the way for the eight-time Pro Bowler to play during Sunday night’s showdown of AFC division leaders at the Buffalo Bills. Pouncey was placed on the covid list Dec. 2, the day the Steelers played...
Illness keeps Chase Claypool from Steelers practice, but Chris Boswell returns
During the pandemic-affected 2020 NFL season, “illness” takes on a whole new connotation in regards to missed practice. Chase Claypool became the latest player to be absent from a Pittsburgh Steelers practice for such a reason. But the best news to come out of the Steelers’ league-mandated injury report was...
Steelers rookie Alex Highsmith passes tests in 1st career start
Almost lost amid the short week, the bevy of injuries and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first loss of the season was that the defense featured a player making his first NFL start last week. And with his status as a rookie mid-round pick from an unheralded college, Alex Highsmith by all...
Steelers place Vince Williams on covid list, left perilously thin at inside linebacker
Veteran inside linebacker Vince Williams became the latest member of the Pittsburgh Steelers to be placed on the NFL’s reserve/covid-19 list. The team announced the transaction in a brief, 15-word statement late Thursday afternoon. Per league policy, the Steelers did not clarify if Williams had tested positive for the novel...
Vance McDonald named Steelers’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee
Teammates repeatedly have complimented Vance McDonald for his selfless attitude in taking on a less glamorous and prominent role on the field this season. Turns out, that selflessness extends beyond football and into more meaningful ventures. And the Pittsburgh Steelers cited McDonald’s “dedication to philanthropy and community” in naming him...
Armed with $9.75 million contract, Derek Watt remains bit part in Steelers offense
The Pittsburgh Steelers in March made Derek Watt the NFL’s third-highest-paid fullback by average annual salary. So far in his first season with the team, they aren’t using him like a $9.75 million man. Watt has played just 48 offensive snaps this season, including only 24 over the past four...
Steelers’ Steve Nelson practices fully; Chris Boswell, Joe Haden, Robert Spillane do not
Cornerback Steve Nelson practiced fully Wednesday, indicating he is on track to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lineup. But kicker Chris Boswell, linebacker Robert Spillane and cornerback Joe Haden each missed practice. Nelson missed Monday’s game against Washington because of a knee injury. Boswell did not play in that game...
Steelers notes: T.J. Watt takes over NFL sack lead, Jerald Hawkins a thrown-to ‘eligible’
With a takedown of Alex Smith during the final minute of the first half of Monday’s 23-17 loss to the Washington Football Team, Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt took over sole possession of the NFL lead in sacks. Watt has 12, one more than the Los Angeles Rams’ Aaron...
