Steelers/NFL category, Page 151
Feats of Strength/Airing of Grievances: Diontae Johnson’s return, T.J. Watt’s splash key Steelers’ 2nd-half surge in L.A.
As we pointed out here at “Breakfast With Benz” coming out of the bye, this is the time of year when the Steelers tend to turn up their momentum. Even during this stretch of six years without a playoff victory, since 2017 the franchise is 31-10-1 between Week 5 and...
Steelers rally in 2nd half, inch past Rams to keep pace in AFC North
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Off to another customary slow start, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense extended its slumber through three quarters Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. That’s when the wake-up alarm finally went off against the Los Angeles Rams. Just in time, as it turned out. The Steelers dominated the Rams in...
CB Darius Rush not in uniform vs. Rams days after signing with Steelers
Four days after signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Darius Rush was not in uniform for Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams. A rookie cornerback, Rush was signed off the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad Wednesday. Though he had said he did not expect to have a role on the...
A third of way through the season, can Steelers remain in hunt in ultra-competitive AFC North?
By the time the Pittsburgh Steelers walk off the field Sunday at SoFi Stadium, they could be in sole possession of first place in their division. They also could be tied for last. Such is the state of the tightly bunched AFC North where, one-third of the way through the...
Aggravated hamstring injury lands Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth on injured reserve
At the outset of the week, the Pittsburgh Steelers thought they were getting tight end Pat Freiermuth back for their game Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams. On Saturday, they made a decision that will keep him out of the lineup for at least another four games. The Steelers placed...
Steelers 4 Downs: Generating pressure the key to defense’s success
1. Get to the QB It doesn’t take advanced analytics to come to the conclusion that the Pittsburgh Steelers’ strength is in their defense — and that defense is driven by the ability to rush opposing passers. But Sharp Football Analysis presented some numbers to show just how reliant the...
LeBron on turf? Rams’ Cooper Kupp earns high plaudits from Steelers tasked to limit him
During his weekly news conference, Mike Tomlin aimed high in finding a comparable for the star receiver of his next opponent. Really high. As in, Tomlin started by comparing the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp to a pair of players who’ve combined for four NFL Defensive Player of the Year...
Steelers notes: T.J. Watt fine, signs point to Diontae Johnson also playing vs. Rams
It was early in the first quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ most recent game when the pinky finger on T.J. Watt’s left hand was badly dislocated. Watt, though, didn’t realize the extent of it until the game was over. “When I took my glove off and it was the size...
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth will not play Sunday after apparent aggravation of groin injury
Just a few days ago, is appeared the Pittsburgh Steelers were assured of getting Pat Freiermuth back. But the week ended with the team knowing it will still have to play without their starting tight end. Freiermuth will not play in Sunday’s game at the Los Angeles Rams, according to...
Friday Football Footnotes: Aaron Donald quells talk of a Pittsburgh return; Steelers look for a 1st in L.A.
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again. Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles. Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North. No story here...
T.J. Watt added to Steelers injury report
A day after having about as clean a midseason injury report as possible, the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday had an addition Thursday. A big name, too. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt did not practice for what was listed as a heel injury. Watt, the NFL’s co-leader in sacks, was not listed...
Najee Harris used bye break to watch film in attempt to improve Steelers running game
Before he left Pittsburgh to enjoy his bye weekend in Atlanta, Najee Harris sat down to watch film of the Steelers running game through the first five weeks. He had a similar routine last year when he presented his findings to offensive coordinator Matt Canada. This time, Harris wasn’t alone....
Is this the week Joey Porter Jr.’s playing time takes a leap for Steelers?
For what it’s worth, the messaging has changed regarding the prospects for one of the greatest sources of angst among Pittsburgh Steelers fans: extra playing time for rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. It’s been a weekly question for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin — will Porter get deployed more often and...
First Call: Steelers learn fate of upcoming opponent QBs; Rams figuring out RB situation
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Los Angeles Rams’ complicated running back situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, their coach is navigating a potentially dicey personal situation of his own in advance of game day. The Steelers are getting clarity about some upcoming quarterbacks on their...
U mad, bro?: No Steelers game? No problem. Still plenty of fan agitation to go around
You might think that, because the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t play this past weekend, “U mad, bro?” would be lacking for content. You might think that. But if you live in Pittsburgh and follow our local sports teams, you know that couldn’t possibly be the case with our passionate fan base....
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin seems tired of questions on Steelers’ offense — here are ways to fix the problem
It certainly sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is tiring of questions about his struggling offense. “Man, I think we have talked about this a lot, haven’t we?” Tomlin responded when asked about the topic again Tuesday. Yes, indeed we have. For much of the past five years, actually....
All injured Steelers players practice fully, including Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth
It was a full-y fulfilling day for the Pittsburgh Steelers in regards to the handful of players they have working their way back from injury. Six contributors who missed at least one game of action all practiced fully Wednesday, according to the injury report. That is an encouraging sign the...
Steelers preparing for ways to handle former Penn Hills, Pitt star Aaron Donald
When he lines up behind center, surveys the defense and sees Aaron Donald glaring menacingly back at him on Sunday afternoon, Kenny Pickett won’t be as awestruck as the first time he encountered one of the NFL’s most decorated defensive linemen. That came in 2017 after Pickett had graduated high...
‘Old heads’ Patrick Peterson, Matthew Stafford to meet 1 more time in Steelers-Rams game
As Patrick Peterson said Wednesday, he knows he’s an “old head” in the NFL. The No. 5 overall pick 12 1/2 years ago, Peterson is one of only 13 active players left from the 2011 draft class. Peterson is looking forward to Sunday when he can match wits against one...
After signing Darius Rush, Steelers now have 3 of the top-rated CBs of 2023 draft class
If the Pittsburgh Steelers went into this past spring’s draft looking to acquire a top cornerback, they eventually found a way to get a few of them. The Steelers signed Darius Rush off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad Wednesday, adding another big rookie cornerback to the organization. The 6-foot-2,...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ slow-playing talented rookies makes little sense
The Pittsburgh Steelers face a similar team Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams are meh but have a fistful of dangerous players, just like the Steelers. But who’s going to cover Rams receiver Cooper Kupp? Who’s going to block Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald? The Rams have a better coach and...
First Call: Steelers reportedly move on from Desmond King; Evgeni Malkin snubbed from another Top 100 list
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...
Tim Benz: The time is right, the need is present for Steelers to start Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr.
I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...
Mike Tomlin anticipating return of ‘expert route running’ from Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
The play on which Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in the season opener is one the Pittsburgh Steelers have been missing in his absence. Johnson caught a pass from Kenny Pickett 5 yards downfield, then he turned it into a 26-yard gain by juking his way down the field before...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin waiting before giving starting LT job back to Dan Moore Jr.
Just because Dan Moore Jr. took first-team reps in practice Monday doesn’t necessarily mean he will regain his starting left tackle job when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to proclaim Moore as the starter, a position he held for two-plus...
