Chris Adamski stories, Page 38

Minkah Fitzpatrick was showing off the palms of each of his hands to a team staffer in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room after Sunday’s game. Observers perhaps were aghast. After all, Fitzpatrick played more than half of the 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals with a broken hand. “They casted...

1. Coincidence? Causation and correlation, at times, are in the eye of the beholder. But it’s impossible to ignore some of the statistical superlatives that the Pittsburgh Steelers offense — and quarterback Kenny Pickett in particular — posted last week in its first game after the firing of coordinator Matt...

It all started when they shared an experience that could have — even, should have — had them hurling insults at each other. Instead, Damontae Kazee and Joey Porter Jr. took arguably the most humiliating play the Pittsburgh Steelers defense has allowed all season and turned it into a close...

The Pittsburgh Steelers boast three possible future Hall of Famers for the three levels of their defense. Too bad, then, they’ve only had them together this season for about a dozen snaps in about a dozen games. That will change Sunday now that All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has been cleared...

Wide receiver Calvin Austin III practiced fully for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday and will play in Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. Austin suffered an ankle injury late during last week’s win at the Cincinnati Bengals and gradually ramped up his participation during the practice week from a “DNP”...

Speaking to the media for the first time since a postgame incident in the locker room following a Nov. 19 loss at the Cleveland Browns, Minkah Fitzpatrick downplayed the verbal altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Diontae Johnson. Johnson acknowledged he was “chirping” at coaches in frustration following the game and...

Though he was born and went to high school in Erie, James Conner spent more than a quarter of his life living in Pittsburgh. Perhaps it only seems like he spent more time than that at the North Shore venue he knew as Heinz Field. “Starting back in college, at...

Minkah Fitzpatrick practiced fully for a second consecutive day, putting the All-Pro safety on track to return when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Fitzpatrick has missed the past four games because of a hamstring injury. But barring a setback during the final practice of the week...

Diontae Johnson was sent home by the Pittsburgh Steelers before Thursday’s practice. But it wasn’t for any discipline or any other reason, the team said. It was because of illness. Johnson was criticized throughout the league for his lack of effort on a play during Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati...

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 15 game at the Indianapolis Colts will be played on a Saturday with a 4:30 p.m. kickoff Dec. 16 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The NFL announced the schedule Thursday. For the first time this season the league installed additional flexible scheduling for late-season games, allowing for...

CINCINNATI – Five things we learned from Steelers 16, Bengals 10: 1. Free-and-out A quick review of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ drive chart from Sunday’s win reveals the (relative) absence of what had been one ubiquitous digit: 3. As in, a “3” under the category of “# plays” in the “Ball...

CINCINNATI — Whether intentional or not, on the first play of Sunday’s game, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense delivered a message. In the first game of the post-Matt Canada era, things apparently were going to look noticeably different under interim coordinator Eddie Faulkner and play-caller Mike Sullivan. Quarterback Kenny Pickett took...

CINCINNATI – Ja’Marr Chase had his moment in his game-long matchup against Joey Porter Jr. So, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star receiver took advantage of it. In the wake of a pretty 25-yard catch down the right sideline early during the third quarter of Sunday’s game against Porter’s Pittsburgh Steelers, Chase...

CINCINNATI — After playing one offensive snap and being back to return nine opponent kickoffs during the past two games since coming off the injured reserve list, Anthony McFarland was designated as a healthy inactive for Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals. A fourth-year running back, McFarland was on IR...

Alex Highsmith’s roughing the passer infraction during last week’s game in Cleveland wasn’t the most egregious by any means. But while some Pittsburgh Steelers fans might argue Highsmith did not even deserve a flag for the play, the NFL still hit him with a fine. Highsmith was docked $16,391 by...

1. If not against them… The Pittsburgh Steelers’ new coordinator/playcaller tandem taking over for the fired Matt Canada has been afforded fortuitous scheduling, at least inasmuch as the opponents’ pass defense. Eddie Faulkner handled the game plan, and Mike Sullivan will call the plays for the Steelers’ 1 p.m. game...

George Pickens said he was not aware of Tuesday’s dismissal of Matt Canada until he showed up for work Wednesday. As for new offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner and the energy he brings to the Pittsburgh Steelers offense, Pickens probably won’t be asked explicitly to provide his input. He indicated Friday...

Before Sunday, Elandon Roberts had appeared in 116 NFL regular-season games with 84 starts. He has won two Super Bowl rings, been part of three teams and been named a captain of two. But as much of a presence as Roberts has been in the middle of teams’ defenses, Roberts...

It was a surprise earlier this week when George Pickens ended up on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury report. By Friday, Pickens was back to fully practicing, and he had an explanation for why he missed some time. “I just got kicked in my shin,” Pickens said. “A little UFC action,...