Chris Adamski stories, Page 69
Steelers notes: Mike Tomlin improves to 19-3 on ‘Monday Night Football’
When Mike Tomlin was growing up, “Monday Night Football” wasn’t just a game. It was the only opportunity for many to see what happened across the NFL the day prior. “Somebody that loves football, that grew up pre-SportsCenter, man, Howard Cosell gave you the highlights from the day before —...
Steelers’ ‘unacceptable’ kickoff coverage must improve with all-time great returner on tap
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, rank second in the NFL in kickoff return average. That’s only because the Steelers were so bad in that area against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday that they leapfrogged the Falcons into the top spot. Buoyed by an 89-yard return that coach...
Mike Tomlin applauds once-demoted Steelers trio of Benny Snell, Anthony McFarland, James Pierre
At differing points over the prior two years, running backs Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland and cornerback James Pierre were taking on significant roles for the Pittsburgh Steelers. All, to varying degrees, were demoted by 2022, though. McFarland didn’t make the active roster (he’s on the practice squad), Pierre went...
Steelers coaches praise punter Pressley Harvin III for improvement in 2nd year
Not out of character, Danny Smith snapped. There might have even been a characteristic profanity at one point when the Pittsburgh Steelers special teams coordinator recently was asked a question by a media member that referenced punter Pressley Harvin III’s inconsistency. “Oh, no, no — he don’t look inconsistent,” Smith...
Once an afterthought, Edmunds becomes one of Steelers’ most reliable defensive players
Terrell Edmunds has gone from a player the Pittsburgh Steelers showed little desire to keep to one that they might not want to move forward without. Over a span of less than a year between spring 2021 and late-April of this year, Edmunds was dealt a series of what could...
Steelers 4 Downs: Handful of metrics rate Diontae Johnson at/near bottom of NFL WRs
1. Diontae dropping A major storyline over this past Pittsburgh Steelers offseason was the contract status of Diontae Johnson, and at the crux of the debate over signing him to a lucrative extension was whether Johnson was truly an NFL team’s No. 1 wide receiver. So far this season, as...
Steelers prep for rare stretch of 2 consecutive games indoors
This weekend brings with it the beginning of that annual period between Thanksgiving and Christmas that in Pittsburgh typically means wintry weather. Not for the Pittsburgh Steelers, though — at least not these next two weeks. Each of their next two games will be played in conditions that feature temperatures...
James Daniels, Robert Spillane added to Steelers injury report Friday
Two significant contributors were added to the Pittsburgh Steelers injury report Friday when starting right guard James Daniels and inside linebacker Robert Spillane were listed as limited participants. Spillane has a back injury and Daniels a groin ailment, according to the league-mandated report. Neither was listed previously, nor was rookie...
Starting center Mason Cole returns to Steelers practice
Mason Cole has been forced to leave games this season because of injury, he’s missed practice time this season because of injury and he’s been spotted wearing a walking boot on an injured foot at earlier points this season. But Cole has not missed a game this season. That trend...
DeMarvin Leal ‘full go, 100%, no restrictions’ at Steelers practice, could come off IR
Nine days into a 21-day window when he can be activated off the injured reserve list, could this be the week Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal is added to the active roster? “Could be,” the rookie said after Friday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Leal confirmed he has...
Matt Canada responds to Bengals LB saying Steelers ‘do the same plays over and over’
Matt Canada has known Germaine Pratt since Canada was on the N.C. State coaching staff during Pratt’s recruitment to the Wolfpack. That’s a fact that Canada alluded to Thursday when asked about Pratt’s comments to CBS Sports after Sunday’s Cincinnati Bengals victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pratt, a Bengals linebacker,...
Injuries prevent Mason Cole, Jaylen Warren, Miles Boykin for practicing for Steelers
Each of the three players who did not finish this past Sunday’s game because of injury did not practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday. Starting center Mason Cole, third-down running back Jaylen Warren and special-teamer/No. 5 receiver Miles Boykin sat out the Thanksgiving late-morning practice at UPMC Rooney Sports...
Steelers’ George Pickens unmoved by ejection for hitting Tyler Boyd late in loss to Bengals
His bank account might not agree once the NFL levies its fines later this week. But, for now, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens isn’t too concerned about his ejection late in this last Sunday’s game. “I was really more focused on the game,” Pickens said Thursday afternoon after practice...
As young QBs across league get benched, Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett stays course
On a day in which two of the NFL’s other youngest starting quarterbacks were benched, Kenny Pickett expressed a steadfast confidence that he’s on track to be the longtime franchise QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “It’s having high expectations and continuing to work every day,” Pickett said after practice at...
Former Ohio State RB Master Teague among additions to Steelers practice squad
Former Ohio State running back Master Teague is back with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing to the team’s practice squad Wednesday. Teague, who had 18 touchdowns and 1,661 rushing yards in three-plus seasons in college, spent 2 ½ weeks with the Steelers during training camp in August. The addition of...
Najee Harris, Steelers rushing offense has shown improvement in recent weeks
Don’t look now, but the Pittsburgh Steelers — at long last — appear to have put together a respectable rushing attack. After finishing among the bottom four in the NFL in rushing yards per game each of the past four seasons, the Steelers have climbed all the way up to...
Steelers offense shows positive signs early before regressing
The first half of Sunday’s game was more productive than any 30-minute span the Pittsburgh Steelers had played all season. For that matter, by the measure that counts most — points scored — it matched the Steelers’ offensive previous high production for any full 2022 game. The second half, though,...
‘Any player would be frustrated’ — Diontae Johnson lacking production in Steelers offense
Thanksgiving will come and go without the Pittsburgh Steelers’ No. 1 wide receiver having recorded a touchdown during the 2022 season. He doesn’t have a 100-yard game yet, either. During Sunday’s 37-30 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, in fact, Diontae Johnson was Steelers’ fifth-leading receiver in yardage. “Any football player...
Mason Cole, Jaylen Warren among Steelers injured during defeat to Bengals
Pittsburgh Steelers starting center Mason Cole, third-down running back Jaylen Warren and special-teamer Miles Boykin did not finish Sunday’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals because of injury. Coach Mike Tomlin during his postgame news conference did not give any substantive update on any of his injured players other than to...
8 days after appendectomy, Minkah Fitzpatrick has full workload for Steelers vs. Bengals
About 15 minutes after he’d played an entire professional football game, Minkah Fitzpatrick briefly looked down at a pair of bandages on his lower abdomen after removing his shirt and before headed to take a shower. They served as proof that Fitzpatrick had undergone a surgical procedure just eight days...
Steelers 4 Downs: Kenny Pickett excels at short-yardage QB sneaks
1. Kenny would As he enters his sixth NFL start Sunday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett has more touchdowns rushing (three) than passing (two). While the latter number would figure to improve, Pickett is creating enough of sample size on one aspect of the former that would seem to make...
Damontae Kazee brings fun, playmaking to Steelers defense
A serious lapse in judgment last October potentially cost Damontae Kazee tens of millions of dollars. A broken forearm during a preseason game cost him half a season. It hasn’t all been roses for Kazee over the past 13 months. But things are looking up for the playmaking safety —...
11 weeks into season, Steelers finally have entire defense healthy
The list is lengthy, but the overriding news is good for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Eleven players were on the league-mandated injury and status report when the practice week ended Friday, but of that 11 only one (cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon) was ruled out of Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Witherspoon...
6 days after appendectomy, Steelers Minkah Fitzpatrick cleared to play in Sunday’s game
If T.J. Watt feels as if he can’t stand in the way of Minkah Fitzpatrick doing something, neither can a small vestigial organ at the junction of Fitzpatrick’s large and small intestines. Six days after undergoing an emergency appendectomy, Fitzpatrick on Friday was not listed on the league-mandated status report...
Steelers to expand Wildcat usage, Najee Harris says
Not unlike a scouting report he might give on an opposing linebacker’s range, Najee Harris on Friday played it straight with a concise assessment of his throwing arm. “It’s good,” the Pittsburgh Steelers running back said after practice. “Good, it’s good.” Can Harris make all the throws he’s asked to?...
