Joe Rutter stories, Page 21
Cordarrelle Patterson shows Steelers the way to the end zone in loss to Lions
DETROIT — The way he hit the hole and ran virtually untouched to the end zone, high-stepping on the way in, it looked like Cordarrelle Patterson might have been returning a kickoff Saturday for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Instead, one of the NFL’s most decorated returners made his impact on a...
Offense finds early rhythm for Russell Wilson, Steelers in preseason loss to Lions
DETROIT — Like a battery in need of some juice, the Pittsburgh Steelers offense got the recharge it had sought for much of the preseason Saturday afternoon. A trip to the Motor City cured some of the ills that had beset the first-team unit the first two weeks. No longer...
Mike Tomlin looking for ‘best of both worlds’ from Steelers starters, backups in preseason finale
Since the NFL adopted the 17-game schedule in 2021, coach Mike Tomlin has taken varying approaches to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ final preseason game. He has kept his starters on the sideline from start to finish. He has played them for a couple series. He has watched them play the entire...
As slot corner position remains in limbo, Beanie Bishop vows to return for Steelers’ preseason finale
Beanie Bishop’s chance of earning the starting slot cornerback job with the Pittsburgh Steelers was stalled when he missed the preseason game Saturday against Buffalo with an undisclosed injury. The undrafted free agent from West Virginia will have one more chance to impress the coaching staff this weekend when the...
Russell Wilson: It’s time for Steelers starting offense to ‘celebrate in the end zone’
Quarterback Russell Wilson has set a modest goal for the offense in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason finale. “The most important thing for us to accomplish is to play efficient football, move the ball up and down the field,” Wilson said Wednesday. “We want to celebrate in the end zone. That...
Broderick Jones’ struggles at right tackle against Buffalo serve as microcosm to Steelers’ preseason
Much like the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense this preseason, Broderick Jones’ play against Buffalo on Saturday night was a case study in Murphy’s law. Anything that could go wrong did for the former first-round pick in the Steelers’ 9-3 loss to the Bills. Jones was beaten on two of the Bills’...
Steelers believe center Zach Frazier ready to handle challenge of starting as a rookie
In interview settings, Zach Frazier is a man of few words. If he were paid by the sentence, he wouldn’t be able to afford a cup of convenience store coffee. Frazier is polite, courteous and professional around reporters. He also is uncomfortable. A sampling from the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie center...
Offense struggles for 2nd week in row in Steelers’ preseason loss to Bills
At least Russell Wilson didn’t have any issues handling the snap from center in his Pittsburgh Steelers debut. That is one of the few positives that can be taken from the way the first-team offense performed under Wilson’s tutelage in the Steelers’ second preseason game. Continuing a trend that began...
Andy Weidl’s commitment to building physical Steelers offensive line taking shape
In two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Andy Weidl’s commitment to rebuilding the offensive line has been as obvious as the Ohio River flowing behind Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers have spent five draft picks, including two first-round selections, on the line since Weidl came aboard after Kevin Colbert’s retirement. The...
Russell Wilson to start, could have new center when Steelers face Bills in 2nd preseason game
Russell Wilson will start at quarterback Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Buffalo Bills in their second preseason game. The player snapping the ball to Wilson could be new, too. Rookie second-rounder Zach Frazier could start at center because of an injury to veteran Nate Herbig. Herbig was injured...
Russell Wilson looking forward to testing calf, making preseason debut with SteelersVideo
If the work he received Wednesday was any indication, Russell Wilson will make his debut and start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they play their second preseason game Saturday night against Buffalo. Wilson took all the starting reps in the opening team period of the Steelers’ final practice...
Steelers say goodbye to Saint Vincent, prepare for 1st joint practice since 2016
Before the Pittsburgh Steelers hold their first joint practice in eight years, they had business to conclude Wednesday at Saint Vincent College. The practice was the final one held in front of fans who gathered on the hillside and bleachers adjacent to Chuck Noll Field. Since making Saint Vincent their...
Versatile Connor Heyward trying to stand out in crowded Steelers tight end room
After being a small part of the Pittsburgh Steelers offense the past two seasons, Connor Heyward is looking for bigger things in 2024. Thanks to the addition of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator, Heyward might get his wish. Even if he remains the third option in the team’s tight end...
Steelers camp report: Mike Tomlin devotes practice to ‘situational’ play in wake of preseason loss
Third down was the emphasis Monday for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their penultimate training camp practice at Saint Vincent College. Mindful of the negativity the Steelers experienced in their 20-12 preseason loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday, coach Mike Tomlin devoted several portions of practice to third down preparation....
Cordarrelle Patterson ready to find niche as running back, return threat for SteelersVideo
No sooner had NFL owners approved the dynamic kickoff rules proposal in March than the Pittsburgh Steelers finalized a contract with arguably the most prolific returner in league history. Cordarrelle Patterson’s league-record nine kickoff returns for touchdowns weren’t the only trait that ingratiated him to the organization. The Steelers saw...
John Rhys Plumlee now catching passes as well as throwing them at Steelers training campVideo
For a fleeting moment, John Rhys Plumlee thought he might complete his first NFL preseason game by getting snaps at quarterback. Plumlee already had returned two kickoffs Friday night in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 20-12 loss to the Houston Texans. He would add an assisted tackle on a punt return. That...
Zach Frazier at center of change along offensive line as Steelers resume practiceVideo
Some of the setbacks that transpired in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason loss to Houston on Friday night had a ripple effect when coach Mike Tomlin reconvened his players for practice Sunday at Saint Vincent College. “We saw some things in the stadium we didn’t like,” Tomlin said. “We catered a...
Arthur Smith’s offense, Justin Fields sputter in preseason debut with Steelers
As far as debuts go, this one was deserving of a mulligan for Arthur Smith, Justin Fields and the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. With Smith calling the plays for the first time as offensive coordinator and Fields starting at quarterback, the Steelers sputtered for much of the first half in a...
OLB Markus Golden retires rather than play 2nd season for Steelers
A week after returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract, outside linebacker Markus Golden has decided to retire rather plan play a second season for the team. The Steelers placed Golden, 33, on the reserve/retired list Friday, a few hours before they were set to kick off against...
Inside the ropes: On eve of preseason opener, Steelers conduct light workout at Saint Vincent
Rare is it when the Pittsburgh Steelers conduct an open practice the day before a preseason game. It may be unprecedented in the Mike Tomlin era. Tomlin broke protocol Thursday for the fans by putting his players through what amounted to an extended walkthrough at Saint Vincent College. The practice,...
Justin Fields to start at QB, play ‘couple of series’ in Steelers’ preseason opener
The NFL’s reduction from four to three preseason games in 2021 naturally led to reduced playing time for veteran players. For Russell Wilson, that meant getting zero snaps in the 2021-22 preseasons, his last year with the Seattle Seahawks and first with the Denver Broncos. The script changed last season...
Top pick Troy Fautanu gets 1st-team reps at right tackle as Steelers build toward preseason opener
What transpired Tuesday could be a watershed moment in Troy Fautanu’s first NFL training camp. Or it could mean little in the grand scheme of his development. Fautanu wasn’t trying to read anything into his getting his most significant work at right tackle with the first-team offense since training camp...
Steelers players trying not to be distracted by trade talk involving 49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk
Based on the way he has progressed in training camp, Van Jefferson has taken steps toward becoming the No. 2 wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jefferson’s spot on the depth chart, however, would drop in the event the Steelers acquire Brandon Aiyuk in a trade with the San Francisco...
Inside the ropes: Fullback Jack Colletto gets featured role in short-yardage situations
On a day when the Pittsburgh Steelers practiced goal-line and short-yardage situations, it was a chance to get the fullback involved in the offensive game plan. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes using a fullback as well as multiple tight ends. Last year, when Smith was the head coach in...
DeMarvin Leal using versatility to take on larger role on Steelers defense
The training camp roster still lists DeMarvin Leal as weighing 290 pounds, although it’s clear he is much leaner than in his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The roster also lists his position as defensive end, although that isn’t entirely accurate, either. Leal continues to play the position...
