Steelers/NFL category, Page 135
Former Cowboys 2nd-rounder Jaylon Smith looking to help Steelers’ thin linebacker depth
Jaylon Smith isn’t concerned about joining the Pittsburgh Steelers just five days before they face the Seattle Seahawks with their playoff hopes on the line. He’s gotten ready to play in NFL games on shorter notice. Earlier this year, in fact, Smith had less preparation when the Las Vegas Raiders...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger’s advice for Joey Porter Jr.; Seahawks injury news
After a few days off for Christmas, “First Call” is back with a stuffed stocking of Pittsburgh Steelers tidbits. The Seattle Seahawks are getting good news on the injury front in advance of their game against the Steelers on Sunday. However, a Steelers’ AFC rival may not be so lucky...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s injury provides cover more than it does strategy for Mike Tomlin
There is no tactical reason for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to announce his starting quarterback this early in advance of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. So he didn’t. Not completely, anyway. All Tomlin said of his QB situation Tuesday is that the team is adopting the same stance...
Pectoral injury will keep Elandon Roberts from suiting up for Steelers against Seahawks
Another week, another inside linebacker on the shelf for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday at his weekly news conference that Elandon Roberts will miss Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury he suffered in the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday. Given the...
Winning out provides clearest, but not only, path for Steelers to reach the AFC playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks isn’t a must-win situation in terms of their playoff chances. A win, however, certainly would help their cause. According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Steelers’ chances of making the postseason increase from 13% to 26% with a victory...
Mason Rudolph to begin week as Steelers’ starting quarterback
For the second week in a row, Mason Rudolph will take the first-team reps at quarterback when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their practice week. And, for the second week in a row, the health of Kenny Pickett’s right ankle will play a role in determining whether Rudolph finishes it that...
With playoff hopes on the line, Mason Rudolph and Steelers teammates wait to see if he gets 2nd start
Leave it to tight end Pat Freiermuth to break out the Christmas puns to quarterback Mason Rudolph as he prepared to make his first start Saturday in more than two years. As the Pittsburgh Steelers players were going through warmups, Freiermuth unleashed a few that Rudolph undoubtedly has heard before....
Mark Madden: After Pyrrhic victory, what’s next for Steelers’ George Pickens, Mike Tomlin, QBs?
Saturday’s home win vs. Cincinnati might be the proverbial Pyrrhic victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was fun, but what was gained? And at what cost? Wideout George Pickens quit on a play the week before, then was decidedly non-apologetic. His punishment? Nothing. So, Pickens went out against the Bengals...
5 things we learned: Odes to Mason Rudolph, George Pickens for big games for Steelers
Five things we learned from Steelers 34, Bengals 11: 1. Been a long time It had been more than four years since a stadium full of fans had seen Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback have a game like the one put out against the Bengals. In fact, the 124.0 passer rating...
Madden Monday (early Christmas edition): ‘I’d definitely start Mason Rudolph next game’
With Christmas on Monday, we decided to post this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 34-11 Steelers win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive wants to make one thing abundantly clear. There is no controversy surrounding what the Steelers should...
Steelers defensive call-ups Myles Jack, Eric Rowe save the day
Their acquisitions by the Pittsburgh Steelers officially were announced jointly on the team website at 4:03 p.m. on Nov. 20. That they were joining the team’s practice squad wasn’t mentioned until the sixth paragraph . The final, sad indignity in the proud careers of Myles Jack and Eric Rowe, two...
Feats of Strength: ‘It’s a Festivus Miracle!’ Steelers break 30 points in a win over Bengals
Apparently the Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) were tired of giving out lumps of coal to their fans during the Christmas season. After losing three in a row to the Cardinals, Patriots and Colts, the club felt it was time to shower all the good little boys and girls at Acrisure Stadium...
Mike Tomlin: ‘Too early’ to say if Mason Rudolph or Kenny Pickett will start next Steelers game
Pittsburgh Steelers fans will have to wait until after Christmas to know whom coach Mike Tomlin will choose to start at quarterback for their next game. Tomlin would not broach the question during his news conference following the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday evening. Making his...
Mason Rudolph glows in Steelers blowout vs. Bengals
Tears welling up in his eyes and his voice starting to crack with emotion, Mason Rudolph spoke of the game ball he received Saturday night from defensive captain Cameron Heyward. It was a reward for what transpired in the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s first start in more than two years. Rudolph...
Myles Jack surpasses Blake Martinez on Steelers’ depth chart, active vs. Bengals
For the past few weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers roster has had two veteran inside linebackers who began the regular season in retirement. One has leapfrogged the other on the depth chart. Myles Jack is in uniform making his 2023 season debut for Saturday’s home season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals....
Michael Pittman Jr. speaks out on hit from Steelers’ Damontae Kazee
INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr. did not appreciate the violence of a hit he took from Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee until he saw video of the play. Pittman, the Colts’ leading receiver, cleared the concussion protocol Friday and was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game at...
Steelers 4 Downs: Bengals’ big-play pass defense a good matchup for Mason Rudolph
1. Go long Remember Mason Rudolph’s 67-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Austin III during this preseason’s Pittsburgh Steelers opener? It was proof of how good a deep ball that Rudolph can throw. And in Rudolph’s 2023 regular-season starting debut, that might be an aspect of the game the Steelers can...
Patrick Peterson ready to for another taste of playing free safety in depleted Steelers secondary
When Patrick Peterson moved to safety out of necessity last Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, it wasn’t his first dalliance playing the position. Peterson had taken occasional snaps there in about half of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ games this season, even playing free safety for 18 plays in Week 9 against...
Steelers make moves; Myles Jack, Eric Rowe, Elijah Riley expected to play big roles vs. Bengals
To plug a growing number of holes in their defense, the Pittsburgh Steelers added options for Saturday’s game via a variety of roster moves. The team announced Friday that veterans Myles Jack and Eric Rowe would be elevated from the practice squad to play against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday,...
Mark Madden: Easy to root for Mason Rudolph, who never got fair shake from Steelers
Here’s my dream scenario for Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium: Mason Rudolph throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns. Steelers put up 40-plus points, which seems impossible but also necessary because their defense has zero legit safeties and just one real inside linebacker. Steelers...
First Call: Joey Porter Jr. dismisses Tyler Boyd’s criticism; Bill Cowher encourages 1 specific Steelers change
In our final “First Call” before Christmas weekend, Pittsburgh Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr. didn’t have a lot of holiday cheer after hearing Tyler Boyd’s comments this week. Bill Cowher has some advice for the Steelers offense. We look at the full slate of games that impact the AFC wild-card...
Football Footnotes: Who could the Steelers get to replace Mike Tomlin? Let’s try Santa
I feel strongly that Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II is going to keep Mike Tomlin as head coach beyond this season. Yes, even if they lose out and wind up 7-10. That said, the conversations about firing or trading Tomlin sure have picked up as the 2023 campaign has...
A top rookie CB, Steelers’ Joey Porter Jr. unwilling to alter play that tends to draw flags
They vary in their methodology or calculation, but no shortage of metrics tend to agree that Joey Porter Jr. is having a standout season as a rookie NFL cornerback. The top pick of the second round in April by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Porter ranks second in reception percentage (45.5%) and...
Steelers safety Trenton Thompson out, Elijah Riley questionable to play vs. Bengals
Already without the safeties taking spots Nos. 1-3 on their depth chart this week, the Pittsburgh Steelers learned Thursday they also will have to make do without No. 4. Trenton Thompson missed the entire week’s worth of practice and was ruled out for Saturday’s home game against the Cincinnati Bengals...
T.J. Watt explains Rich Eisen’s version of his comments on Steelers practice habitsVideo
Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt sought to clarify comments NFL commentator Rich Eisen made on his talk show this week that Eisen attributed to Watt from the prior week’s television production meeting. “It wasn’t attacking anybody. It was a general statement of, as a leader on this team, I feel...
