Steelers/NFL category, Page 208
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?...
Friday Football Footnotes: Joe Burrow’s advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick, praise for T.J. Watt; NFL moves Bills-Browns game
As the Steelers get ready for a rematch against the Bengals, “Friday Football Footnotes” features some scouting on T.J. Watt from Joe Burrow. The Bengals QB also has advice for Minkah Fitzpatrick. Derrick Henry has tricks on “Thursday Night Football.” We study that venue change for the Browns and Bills....
Tim Benz: How the Steelers can expect the Bengals to get around Ja’Marr Chase’s absence
During the recent bye week, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin went to the other side of the ball to best illustrate what the return of T.J. Watt could mean to his unit. “I put it similar to a great receiver. If you don’t take care of him and let him...
Steelers stand behind kicker Matthew Wright after 2 missed FGs
Each of the past three Pittsburgh Steelers games has featured a different kicker. Danny Smith emphatically shot down any idea the Steelers might make it four kickers in four weeks. “There’s certain people in my life that I trust,” Smith, the Steelers’ special teams coordinator, said of Matthew Wright. “And...
Injury could result in Steelers guard Kendrick Green being active for 1st time this season
The Pittsburgh Steelers have started the same five players on the offensive line for every game this season. Based on what transpired Thursday in practice, that streak could continue for another week, although there could be a change at one of the backup guard positions. Starter Kevin Dotson was limited...
Steelers rookie defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal awaits return from injured reserve
DeMarvin Leal doesn’t know exactly how he injured his knee in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills. He just knows it continued to bother him the next two times he practiced, and the result was an unexpected trip to injured reserve. One day after returning to practice, the Pittsburgh Steelers...
Minkah Fitzpatrick returns to Steelers’ practice 5 days after having appendix removed
On the day he turned 26, Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrated his birthday by practicing with his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates. It wasn’t just any ordinary practice for the two-time All-Pro free safety. It was his first since undergoing an appendectomy five days earlier. After practice — he was a full participant —...
Tim Benz: Recent increase in sacks not just about Steelers offensive line
While the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line has received praise for improved run blocking since Sunday’s win against the Saints, now the pass blocking has come under scrutiny. For good reason. In both regards. The Steelers are coming off a game in which they ran the ball for a season-high 217...
U mad, bro?: On Kenny Pickett’s development, pass blocking, Bill Cowher’s rant about Jeff Saturday and … the Beatles?
For Thanksgiving, I like variety. Turkey. White meat. Dark meat. Maybe some ham. Mashed potatoes and stuffing. Carrots and peas. Apple and pumpkin pie. Just no sweet potatoes. I hate sweet potatoes. I hate the way they taste. I hate the way they smell. I don’t even wanna look at...
First Call: Ex-Steeler drafts Martavis Bryant in XFL; Penguins to face another former teammate in goal; Ja’Marr Chase update
Thursday’s “First Call” features the latest attempt to reignite the football career of former Steelers project Martavis Bryant. Antonio Brown is back performing in Pittsburgh. Ja’Marr Chase may not be back against the Steelers. But next week is a possibility. The Penguins aren’t done facing old teammates in goal. And...
Steelers, Kenny Pickett looking for improvement inside red zone
For just the second time since he became the starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kenny Pickett directed multiple touchdown drives inside the red zone Sunday in a 20-10 victory against New Orleans. The first came in Pickett’s pro debut in Week 4, when he scored on a pair of...
Steelers’ Devin Bush, Larry Ogunjobi, Kevin Dotson, Minkah Fitzpatrick do not practice
Minkah Fitzpatrick did not practice four days after an emergency appendectomy. According to the injury report, six others joined him in sitting out the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first practice of the week. Inside linebacker Devin Bush sat out because of a knee injury that had not previously been made public. Also...
Steelers rookie DL DeMarvin Leal returns to practice, remains on IR
Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal returned to Pittsburgh Steelers practice Wednesday, activating a 21-day window during which the rookie must be added to the 53-man roster off the injured reserve list or be lost for the season. Leal was placed on IR on Oct. 15 because of a knee injury and...
New documentary shows ex-Steelers player Carlton Haselrig’s battle with football-related brain injuries
JOHNSTOWN — Frail, angry, confused and dying, Carlton Haselrig rolled around on his bed, twisting in the blankets and sheets, screaming profanities, before sitting up and crying out a desperate plea: “Help me, Dad! Father!” But it was in vain. His father was not there to help. Fred Haselrig had...
2-sack game earns Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith AFC Defensive Player the Week
The return of the defensive player of the year resulted in a defensive player of the week. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was honored by the NFL as the AFC Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Wednesday, three days after Highsmith had a strip sack among two...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger on the notion of becoming an offensive coordinator; Steelers looking at defensive backs
Ben Roetlisberger is talking about life after football. The Steelers are considering making another move to bolster their defensive backfield. The Prime Video ratings for “Thursday Night Football” are a struggle. And Duquesne’s next men’s basketball game looks like it could be a real test. All that in Wednesday’s “First...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s assessment of Kenny Pickett’s ‘growth’ more about strategy than evaluation
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin staunchly endorsed the development of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett during his Tuesday press conference. “It’s been really impressive,” Tomlin said. “If you ask me to summarize the rate of growth and the range of growth, it’s been really impressive in all areas. I think it’s...
Steelers rushing total keeps rising, but so do sacks of Kenny Pickett
The evolution of the offensive line took a step forward Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers had their highest rushing total in six years in a 20-10 victory against the New Orleans Saints. Led by Najee Harris’ season-high 99 yards and a career-best 51 from rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett, the Steelers...
Minkah Fitzpatrick could return from appendectomy when Steelers face BengalsVideo
Minkah Fitzpatrick apparently isn’t going to let a little bout with appendicitis keep him from missing more than one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Tuesday, three days after the two-time All-Pro free safety had an appendectomy, coach Mike Tomlin said Fitzpatrick could return Sunday when the Steelers play the...
First Call: Bengals health updates before Steelers matchup; Pat McAfee jabs Bill Cowher; Matt Murray to start vs. Penguins
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers will be keeping an eye on health updates coming out of Cincinnati in advance of Sunday’s showdown against the Bengals. The Ravens are getting healthy. Pat McAfee is defending the Jeff Saturday hire — and returning shots at Bill Cowher for criticizing it....
Tim Benz: Reasons behind Bill Cowher’s angry Jeff Saturday rant go beyond the obvious
On the surface, the reasons why ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher ranted against the Indianapolis Colts’ coaching hire are obvious. Not to mention, completely understandable. But there may have been a little bit more to the subtext that is worth investigating. In case you missed it, Indianapolis fired head coach...
