Chris Adamski stories, Page 65

For the first time in almost a month since suffering a hamstring injury, Ahkello Witherspoon participated in a practice Wednesday. The Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback is hopeful that means a return to game action isn’t far behind. “I felt good,” Witherspoon said before Thursday’s practice. “Just getting back out there, it...

It’s been almost eight weeks since Damontae Kazee was on a field practicing or playing with his teammates. “It’s been boring,” the Pittsburgh Steelers safety said Wednesday. “I just wanna play.” Kazee might get that chance soon. On injured reserve since before the start of the regular season because of...

Minkah Fitzpatrick appreciated south Florida enough that he made it his permanent offseason home, even if he lasted less than 17 months on the roster of south Florida’s NFL team. But while Fitzpatrick surely has racked up the miles flying back and forth from Pittsburgh to that area over the...

Only three Tampa Bay Buccaneers players were responsible for more yards from scrimmage than what Pittsburgh Steelers guard Kevin Dotson provided the Bucs during Sunday’s game. Dotson’s three penalties — two for holding and one on a false start — gave Tampa Bay 25 yards of field position during a...

During a game in which the Pittsburgh Steelers’ secondary was depleted, some of the biggest pass breakups were made not by defensive backs but by inside linebackers. Each of the three inside linebackers who played during the Steelers’ 20-18 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday got his hands...

When Mitch Trubisky last left Acrisure Stadium, he was, understandably, frustrated and disappointed. His comments to media after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-20 loss to the New York Jets were terse. Bitterness even seemed to seep through. Two weeks later, Trubisky was at ease. He spoke to those same reporters with...

It took Steven Sims all of one full outing to provide bigger “splash” to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ punt and kickoff return games than they’ve had in years. Sims’ 89-yard return of the second-half kickoff of Sunday’s 20-18 win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was the longest by any Steelers player...

Devin Bush went from being hyped as the next great Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker to merely being able to hang on to his starting job. He’s had a relatively consistent, if unspectacular, fourth NFL season to this point — but Sunday, Bush delivered a critical big play. Bush batted down a...

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s game during the third quarter and did not return because of a concussion. The rookie first-round pick was hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White after releasing a pass from his own territory midway through the third quarter. Pickett was lying on...

It came as no surprise, as it was previously announced. But that made the list of inactives for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday no less daunting for the team and its fans. Four starters in the secondary were not in uniform because of injury for the game against Tom Brady...

A day after he was unexpectedly added to the injury report with a malady that presumably occurred during practice, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal was placed on injured reserve. A third-round pick who had been one of the few pleasant surprises for a Steelers team on a four-game...

1. Good under pressure Dealing with pressure in general and designed blitzes in particular isn’t the only thing that can set a young quarterbacks apart. But it could foretell success in the NFL. And through six quarters as a pro, Kenny Pickett has done well when facing a pass rush....

Connor Heyward is one of two literal little brothers among the Pittsburgh Steelers, so perhaps it’s no surprise he also is filling a “kid brother” role in his position room. As such, Heyward’s brush with rookie hazing came in the form of a not-entirely flattering nickname bestowed upon him by...

The consensus greatest quarterback of all time is coming to Pittsburgh. And the Steelers will have to face him without four of their five top defensive backs. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and cornerbacks Ahkello Witherspoon, Cameron Sutton and Levi Wallace all were announced as out for Sunday’s home game against Tom...

By all indications, the Pittsburgh Steelers were generally pleased with Isaiahh Loudermilk’s rookie season. A defensive lineman for whom the Steelers aggressively traded up for in fifth round of the 2021 draft, Loudermilk appeared in 15 games, made two starts and seemed to make his presence felt over the 288...

When it comes to limiting a power running back, you’ve heard of the Steel Curtain. But what about a steel plate? Pittsburgh Steelers featured back Najee Harris played the first five games of the season with one of those in his left foot, Harris said Friday. Harris suffered a foot...

A year ago this week, James Pierre was basking in the glow of a game-clinching interception during a game in which he was an every-down outside cornerback. It would have been easy to imagine then that, a year later, Pierre would be preparing to play a significant role in a...

Speedy rookie Calvin Austin III could be worth a shot to help jumpstart the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ailing offense. But with two additional weeks remaining before he must be activated off the injured reserve list, Austin’s NFL debut isn’t necessarily coming Sunday. “It’s still possible,” offensive coordinator Matt Canada said Thursday....

Tight end Zach Gentry returned to full participation at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday and declared himself “ready” for Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gentry, typically the Steelers’ No. 2 tight end, did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury. His availability could be critical because the status...

All three starting cornerbacks were among eight significant contributors on offense or defense who did not take part in Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Steelers practice because of injury. All eight of the ailments were previously known. Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and tight end Pat Freiermuth (concussion) were listed as a limited participants...

It was morning on an overcast day. And Steven Sims was indoors in a windowless room. Sims, though, was wearing black sunglasses. “Eyes are just a little sensitive to the light,” Sims said from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room Wednesday. Understandable, after Sims took a direct hit from a football...

The circumstances, on whole, were surely not ones Josh Jackson will be particularly eager to recall when looking back at his NFL career. His team lost, 38-3. He was beat for a touchdown. A pair of teammates at his position went down with injuries. But Jackson’s 26 snaps at cornerback...

That Jaylen Warren played more snaps at running back Sunday than Najee Harris is not necessarily a sign Warren is beginning to siphon away Harris’ playing time. But an unofficial official designation bestowed upon Warren by the coaches is. Warren’s role is as the Steelers’ third-down back was one few...

Ryan Clark criticized the effort and pride of players on his former team. A prominent current member of the team zinged back. Clark, a former Pittsburgh Steelers safety turned ESPN commentator, seemed put off by the Steelers’ 38-3 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. A day after posting to...

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — A competitor at his core, Kenny Pickett could not have enjoyed that his first NFL start was his team’s worst defeat in 33 years. But even a 35-point loss couldn’t completely sour this day for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new quarterback. “Listen, I mean, it is my...