Steelers/NFL category, Page 146
Attrition means Steelers practice-squader Trenton Thompson, others on field to protect lead
Protecting a four-point lead in the waning minutes, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense took the field down two starting safeties and two starting inside linebackers. “We were leaking in a lot of places today,” veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson said after Sunday’s game. Two practice-squad call-ups made their Steelers debut during Sunday’s...
Steelers lose another ILB for season as Kwon Alexander suffers ‘serious’ Achilles injury
A “luxury” has quickly turned into a liability of attrition for the Pittsburgh Steelers. During the game following one in which they lost a starting inside linebacker to a season-ending injury, it reportedly happened again Sunday for the Steelers. Kwon Alexander suffered what coach Mike Tomlin called “a serious lower-body...
Defense, ground game help Steelers fend off Packers, improve to 6-3
Mike Tomlin didn’t audibly exhale when he sat down for his postgame news conference Sunday afternoon. Nobody would have blamed him if he had. “All right,” Tomlin said, easing into his seat, “that was easy.” Tomlin flashed a knowing smile, realizing nothing has been that way for the Pittsburgh Steelers...
Game after impressing in NFL debut, rookie CB Darius Rush inactive for Steelers vs. Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said that Darius Rush did “a good job” in his NFL debut. For the Steelers’ next game, though, Rush was not in uniform. Rush was a healthy scratch for Sunday’s home game against the Green Bay Packers. Also inactive without injury for the Steelers...
Steelers 4 Downs: Jaylen Warren excelling in analytics more than Najee Harris
1. Warren courts more carries The faction of the Pittsburgh Steelers fanbase that believes Jaylen Warren should take over as the No. 1 running back over Najee Harris often points to Warren’s superior yards per carry both in 2023 (4.7 vs. 3.8) and career (4.8 vs. 3.9). The reality is...
Rookie Joey Porter Jr. proving to be a quick study as shutdown corner for Steelers
Watching the way Joey Porter Jr. shadowed Tennessee Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins last Thursday night brought back fond memories for veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson. A dozen years earlier, he was in the same position, a highly touted rookie cornerback assigned to cover an experienced wide receiver. Peterson remembers his assignment...
Steelers confident at ILB despite loss of Cole Holcomb for season
How can you lose a starter to a season-ending injury but actually emerge not, in fact, being down a starter? The Pittsburgh Steelers insist they’ve done so, by way of spending the first half of their season deploying three men to handle two spots as “starters” at inside linebacker. “I...
Steelers Notes: Converted S Tariq Carpenter preps to step as ILB; Chuks Okorafor unsure of role
In need of a fourth inside linebacker for Sunday’s game, strong indications are the Pittsburgh Steelers intend to turn to a converted safety on their practice squad. How strong are those indications — even to that man, Tariq Carpenter? “I got my (equipment) bag right here,” Carpenter said, looking down...
Injured Steelers defensive starters Cam Heyward, Elandon Roberts will play Sunday
A day after neither took part in practice, two of the Pittsburgh Steelers most veteran and most relied-upon defensive players re-joined teammates on UPMC Rooney Sports Complex fields and did enough to be deemed ready to play Sunday. “If I practiced today,” defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said after Friday’s practice,...
Football Footnotes: It’s about to get nuts in the AFC North
Here’s one thing we know about the AFC North heading into Sunday’s schedule for sure. It won’t be another perfect week for the division. After all four teams won last week, that can’t happen again this Sunday because two of the clubs — the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns —...
First Call: No position change coming for Steelers rookie; Duquesne football looks to claim conference crown
Friday’s “First Call” dismisses the idea of a Steelers position change. We also look at this week’s dud of a matchup for the Pitt football team. Plus, we preview what Penn State, Duquesne and West Virginia have on their respective schedules. And the RMU hockey team is already enjoying the...
Encouraged by debut calling plays from sideline, Steelers OC Matt Canada ready for encore
When Matt Canada worked from the sideline Thursday night as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the experience at Acrisure Stadium. In 2020, his first year with the organization, he spent every game on the sideline as the Steelers quarterbacks coach. And he worked from the sideline...
Steelers’ Patrick Peterson, a longtime NFL CB, enjoyed playing safety more than he ever has
After Thursday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, a reporter asked Patrick Peterson if the Pittsburgh Steelers still intended to list him as a cornerback on their official roster. “I think I’m still a corner,” Peterson said, with a smile. “I’m like a joker in the deck of cards.” During...
Elandon Roberts, Cameron Heyward do not practice for Steelers because of injury
Four veteran starters on defense did not practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, including one at a position where an important player was lost for the season last week. Inside linebacker Elandon Roberts sat out Thursday’s practice because of a knee injury, according to the status report. Roberts was...
Broderick Jones on track to start again at RT, appreciative of support from Steelers veterans
That the Pittsburgh Steelers produced a season-best 166 rushing yards during his second NFL start and first at right tackle is not a source of pride for rookie Broderick Jones. “Honestly, for me, I don’t feel like that’s good enough,” the big offensive lineman said after Thursday’s practice at UPMC...
First Call: Ex-Steeler rips George Pickens; James Conner eyes return; Packers’ injury update
Thursday’s “First Call” has harsh words for George Pickens from a Steelers alum. We get a health update on the Green Bay Packers as they eye a trip to Pittsburgh on Sunday. A former Steeler and Pitt Panther is preparing for a return. And a noteworthy change to the NFL’s...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin called George Pickens issue a ‘pebble in my shoe.’ His players are trying to prevent a rockslide
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin referred to last week’s social media distraction involving George Pickens as “a pebble in my shoe.” Apparently, some of his other players saw it as potentially a large thorn in the side of the team because they felt the need to address it. On...
U mad, bro?: Too much praise for Mike Tomlin. Too much blame for Mike Tomlin. Bad NFL refs and … popcorn balls
Praise for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Blame for Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Sports Journalism 101. Steelers roster construction. Bad NFL officiating. And popcorn balls. This week’s “U mad, bro?” has it all. Let’s start with an important matter. In last week’s “U mad, bro?” I took a shot at popcorn...
Steelers WR George Pickens denies being frustrated with reduced targets
George Pickens was in a state of denial Wednesday afternoon. He denied being upset with the dwindling number of targets he has received the past two games. He denied briefly removing references to the Pittsburgh Steelers from his Instagram page because of any dissatisfaction with his employer. He also denied...
4-year veteran Mykal Walker prepared if needed to step in to help Steelers ILB group
Mykal Walker is palpably glad to be here — as in, in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room. But he just can’t figure out how ended up here — as in, on his fourth team over a three-month span, cut three times since August. “I never thought I would be in...
Minkah Fitzpatrick, Montravius Adams miss practice for Steelers
When Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin left open the possibility that injured All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick could return in time for Sunday’s game, he used the qualifier that at best he wouldn’t practice until later in the week. That held true Wednesday, when Fitzpatrick did not participate in the Steelers’...
Right tackle Chuks Okorafor expects to sit again in favor of Steelers rookie Broderick JonesVideo
Chuks Okorafor isn’t saying what words or actions got him in trouble with coach Mike Tomlin that led to his benching against the Tennessee Titans. He doesn’t know whether he will remain in Tomlin’s doghouse long term. He just knows he doesn’t expect to start again Sunday at right tackle...
Mark Madden: Just another example of Steelers’ flawed culture under Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ culture, at least the portion created by coach Mike Tomlin, is uneven and flawed. Chuks Okorafor lost the starting job at right tackle because he “acted out” during the Oct. 29 loss to Jacksonville. Okorafor said or did something Tomlin didn’t like. This switch was past due...
Tim Benz: ‘4th Quarter Kenny’ is making Pittsburgh smile, but Mike Tomlin can’t laugh off 1st-half concerns forever
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin had a smile on his face. There was some levity to his retort. But as is often the case when someone makes a joke, there’s a lot of truth to it. And there’s usually a message to the delivery. During his weekly Tuesday press conference,...
First Call: Martavis Bryant has a new home; Kyler Murray likely to make return ahead of game against Steelers
Wednesday’s “First Call” features familiar Pittsburgh Steelers faces in new places. A big-time offensive tackle reveals how he nearly wound up in Pittsburgh. And the Steelers may be facing a former Pro Bowler at quarterback in a few weeks. Big deal in Big D According to multiple reports, including one...
