Steelers/NFL category, Page 137
Safeties Minkah Fitzpatrick, Trenton Thompson to miss another game for Steelers
Another week, another game without the services of their top four safeties for the Pittsburgh Steelers. All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick and Trenton Thompson did not practice Friday and were declared out for Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks. That means that for the second consecutive week, the Steelers are likely to...
QB Mason Rudolph confirmed starter for Steelers; Kenny Pickett questionable to back him up
It’s official. Mason Rudolph is getting a second consecutive start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin’s decision was confirmed by a team spokesperson after Friday’s practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Rudolph had gotten first-team reps all week, but Tomlin during his weekly news conference Tuesday had...
First Call: Browns fans troll Pittsburgh during win; Devin Bush on emotions toward Steelers
The final “First Call” of 2023 gives us some AFC North trash talk from Browns fans toward the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cameron Heyward shares his thoughts on Joe Flacco’s success in Cleveland. Hines Ward is done as an XFL head coach. Devin Bush discusses the prospect of playing the Steelers. And...
Football Footnotes: Examining the scenarios for the Steelers to avoid AFC playoff elimination
There are a lot of confusing AFC playoff scenarios afoot this weekend, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are involved in many of them. For the Steelers, a few things are clear. They can’t clinch anything with a win in Seattle on Sunday. And they can’t be eliminated strictly by losing to...
Tim Benz: While the NFL celebrates parity, Pittsburgh shouldn’t applaud Steelers’ mediocrity
NFL parity is nearing historic levels. As you could probably guess, the league is basking in it. Here is a social media post from NFL senior vice president of football and international communications Michael Signora. 24 teams are still in contention for a trip to the Super Bowl, which ties...
Kenny Pickett remains limited; Minkah Fitzpatrick out of Steelers practice
In regards to their No. 1 quarterback and All-Pro safety, it remained status quo at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday. Like he was throughout last week and during the first practice of this week Wednesday, Kenny Pickett was listed as a limited participant on the injury report Thursday. Pickett has missed...
Patrick Peterson passed test as safety last week for Steelers; is full-time move there on horizon?
It wasn’t quite as scenic a perspective of Acrisure Stadium that tourists get from the Mount Washington overlooks. But Patrick Peterson had a unique view of this past Saturday’s game. From the far back of the defense. “It was a different view being back deep playing the safety position,” Peterson...
Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has circled upcoming matchup against Seahawks’ DK Metcalf
In first two months as an NFL starting cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has been paired against some of the league’s top wide receivers. And he has managed to shut down or limit pass catchers such as DeAndre Hopkins, Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper and Tee Higgins. His biggest...
Military background helps Mike Sullivan adjust to calling plays amid Steelers’ QB carousel
Since taking over play-calling duties for the Pittsburgh Steelers in November, Mike Sullivan has found himself calling upon his experience in the U.S. Army when facing trying circumstances. In five games since replacing Matt Canada in that role, Sullivan has needed to prepare each of his three quarterbacks to make...
Mark Madden: Hines Ward had intangibles, but his stats just aren’t Hall of Fame worthy
Hines Ward, in his eighth year of eligibility, will once again not make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He’s not yet even been a finalist. This isn’t an outrage, nor would it be outrageous if Ward made it. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout defines being borderline. Three receivers are...
U mad, bro?: Readers want more rah, rah, rah for Steelers, their defense, Mike Tomlin
According to Steelers fans in my email, I completely messed up by forgetting to wish for something I sorely needed at Christmas: a pair of Black and Gold pom-poms. Because based on the tone of some of the interactions I got this week, you’d prefer I cheerlead instead of giving...
First Call: James Harrison, Hines Ward snubbed for Hall of Fame again; did Mason Rudolph jab Big Ben?
Thursday’s “First Call” has some unfortunate news for Steelers Super Bowl heroes James Harrison and Hines Ward. There are some key injury updates for the Seahawks as they prepare to play the Steelers on Sunday. Ex-Steeler Devin Bush could start against his old club. Mason Rudolph appears to take a...
Injured safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sits out practice again for Steelers
The practice week didn’t get off to a good start for free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who did not participate Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers began on-field preparations for their game Sunday at Seattle. Fitzpatrick missed the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati with a knee injury he sustained a week earlier...
Until Steelers came calling in spring, Mason Rudolph was serious about changing career fields
Mason Rudolph wasn’t kidding when he said he was ready to pursue a career in commercial real estate if he hadn’t gotten a spot on an NFL roster this season. Rudolph made the revelation after he led the Steelers to a 34-11 victory last Saturday against Cincinnati in his first...
Kenny Pickett believes he’s physically ready to return but defers to Steelers’ trainers, coaches
Three-and-a-half weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, Kenny Pickett’s right foot has — to a degree — returned to normal. Now, it’s the festering feeling of anxiousness and anticipation that seems to be hindering the Pittsburgh Steelers second-year quarterback. “It’s obvious,” Pickett said Wednesday. “Any competitor wants to get in there...
Former Cowboys 2nd-rounder Jaylon Smith looking to help Steelers’ thin linebacker depth
Jaylon Smith isn’t concerned about joining the Pittsburgh Steelers just five days before they face the Seattle Seahawks with their playoff hopes on the line. He’s gotten ready to play in NFL games on shorter notice. Earlier this year, in fact, Smith had less preparation when the Las Vegas Raiders...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger’s advice for Joey Porter Jr.; Seahawks injury news
After a few days off for Christmas, “First Call” is back with a stuffed stocking of Pittsburgh Steelers tidbits. The Seattle Seahawks are getting good news on the injury front in advance of their game against the Steelers on Sunday. However, a Steelers’ AFC rival may not be so lucky...
Tim Benz: Kenny Pickett’s injury provides cover more than it does strategy for Mike Tomlin
There is no tactical reason for Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to announce his starting quarterback this early in advance of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. So he didn’t. Not completely, anyway. All Tomlin said of his QB situation Tuesday is that the team is adopting the same stance...
Pectoral injury will keep Elandon Roberts from suiting up for Steelers against Seahawks
Another week, another inside linebacker on the shelf for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday at his weekly news conference that Elandon Roberts will miss Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury he suffered in the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday. Given the...
Winning out provides clearest, but not only, path for Steelers to reach the AFC playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks isn’t a must-win situation in terms of their playoff chances. A win, however, certainly would help their cause. According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Steelers’ chances of making the postseason increase from 13% to 26% with a victory...
Mason Rudolph to begin week as Steelers’ starting quarterback
For the second week in a row, Mason Rudolph will take the first-team reps at quarterback when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their practice week. And, for the second week in a row, the health of Kenny Pickett’s right ankle will play a role in determining whether Rudolph finishes it that...
With playoff hopes on the line, Mason Rudolph and Steelers teammates wait to see if he gets 2nd start
Leave it to tight end Pat Freiermuth to break out the Christmas puns to quarterback Mason Rudolph as he prepared to make his first start Saturday in more than two years. As the Pittsburgh Steelers players were going through warmups, Freiermuth unleashed a few that Rudolph undoubtedly has heard before....
Mark Madden: After Pyrrhic victory, what’s next for Steelers’ George Pickens, Mike Tomlin, QBs?
Saturday’s home win vs. Cincinnati might be the proverbial Pyrrhic victory for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was fun, but what was gained? And at what cost? Wideout George Pickens quit on a play the week before, then was decidedly non-apologetic. His punishment? Nothing. So, Pickens went out against the Bengals...
5 things we learned: Odes to Mason Rudolph, George Pickens for big games for Steelers
Five things we learned from Steelers 34, Bengals 11: 1. Been a long time It had been more than four years since a stadium full of fans had seen Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback have a game like the one put out against the Bengals. In fact, the 124.0 passer rating...
Madden Monday (early Christmas edition): ‘I’d definitely start Mason Rudolph next game’
With Christmas on Monday, we decided to post this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s 34-11 Steelers win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mark Madden of 105.9 The X and TribLive wants to make one thing abundantly clear. There is no controversy surrounding what the Steelers should...
