Steelers/NFL category, Page 163
Steelers 4 Downs: Analytics peg Najee Harris as maybe NFL’s worst returning starting RB
1. Need better from Najee The data compiled by NFL Next Gen Stats last season said the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Najee Harris was one of the worst starting running backs in the league. Among the company Harris kept toward the bottom of those lists, Harris is the only one to hold...
Steelers DL Larry Ogunjobi, 49ers TE George Kittle questionable to play in season opener
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi did not fully participate in any practices this week and was officially deemed questionable to play in Sunday’s regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers. Ogunjobi has been listed on the league-mandated injury report as dealing with a foot ailment that has hindered him...
Joey Porter Jr, rest of Steelers’ renowned rookie class ready to make NFL debuts
It was just two years ago the Pittsburgh Steelers started five rookies during their season opener, the most they’d deployed for a season’s first game in three decades. This year, depending on the packages the offense and defense open up with, there might not be any rookies in the starting...
TV commercial star T.J. Watt preps for Steelers opener vs. successor as defensive player of year
For those who still watch old-fashioned (non-streaming) television that features ads, it’s been difficult to get through any commercial breaks during this season-opening week of the NFL season without seeing T.J. Watt. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ star defender, stars in two humorous commercials this week — one for an at-home...
Steelers prepare for multi-faceted threat posed by 49ers star Christian McCaffrey
Tasked over the past week-plus with formulating a plan to limit San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, savvy veteran NFL defensive coordinator Teryl Austin devised a unique strategy. “We’re going to try to play with 12 guys,” Austin said, laughing. Presumably, Austin won’t want to actually subject the...
Tim Benz: We know how good the 49ers’ rush attack is. But how does it work and how do the Steelers stop it?
In advance of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2023 regular-season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, we’ve been hearing for weeks about the challenge of facing the Niners’ vaunted rushing attack. Last year, it ranked seventh in the NFL with 2,360 yards and can also use a short passing game...
Mark Madden: Time for Steelers’ Mike Tomlin to put his words into practice, be held accountable
This is a pretty good Pittsburgh Steelers team. Improved from last year. It has a first-round draft pick at quarterback who looks ready to break through. It has a myriad of offensive weapons: no proven superstar, but a receiver capable of big plays and a first-round running back who also...
First Call: Patrick Peterson says 49ers offense has ‘tell signs,’ promises pick; did Gerrit Cole once groove a pitch as a Pirate?
Friday’s “First Call” has some very interesting quotes from a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back about the San Francisco 49ers offense. We also have injury news from San Francisco in advance of the team’s season opener in Pittsburgh on Sunday, a status update on a former Pitt Panther standout, and another...
Friday Football Footnotes: Tim Benz’s season predictions
If you work in the Pittsburgh sports media you are obligated — by law — to make a season prediction for the Steelers before their first game of the regular season. Seriously. If you don’t, you could get arrested. I’m pretty sure I signed some piece of paper requiring me...
Steelers’ Kenny Pickett, 49ers’ Brock Purdy a matchup of 1st QB vs. last player taken in ‘22 draft
Each started four years at quarterback for a Power Five college, breaking myriad school records along the way while lifting their programs to heights not seen in decades. Each, too, was eligible for the 2022 draft. Kenny Pickett and Brock Purdy also had success as rookie NFL quarterbacks, and they...
Accomplished CBs Anthony Brown, Josiah Scott act as insurance for Steelers on practice squad
Anthony Brown and Josiah Scott have combined to play 10 NFL seasons, 133 regular-season games and four postseason games. They’ve been on division title teams, combined for 12 career interceptions and figured in on 387 tackles. Each, though, for the moment is spending this week on the scout team at...
Steelers’ veteran D-linemen Cameron Heyward, Larry Ogunjobi continue to miss practice time
Three days out from their regular-season opener, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ two most important defensive linemen remain on the injury report and continue to miss practice time. Cameron Heyward (stomach) and Larry Ogunjobi (foot) each remain expected to play Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers at Acrisure Stadium. But each also...
Matt Canada: Steelers offense won’t ‘magically’ contain 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa
When the Pittsburgh Steelers began formulating a game plan for the San Francisco 49ers, they designed it with the belief that NFL Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa would be wearing scarlet and gold — and not street clothes — for the season opener. That assumption proved to be...
Tailgate turmoil: North Shore development cuts into game-day experience for Pitt, Steelers fans
Dustin Helm arrived on the North Shore 90 minutes before parking lots opened for the first University of Pittsburgh football game of the season, as he has done for the past seven-plus years. When the lots opened last weekend, Helm attempted to turn left in Lot 7C and make his...
First Call: 49ers coach addresses Nick Bosa’s snap count vs. Steelers; George Kittle, other Niners return to practice
Thursday’s “First Call” has Steelers reaction to Nick Bosa’s new contract in San Francisco. We detail how much playing time Bosa may get Sunday in Pittsburgh without the benefit of a training camp. Plus, Bosa’s return is just one of many good news items for the 49ers. And it is...
U mad, bro?: Revamping Penguins’ announcers; Steelers’ ‘new standard’; Pittsburgh port-a-potty fight
This time next week, “U mad, bro?” will be filled to the brim with one of two types of complaints from readers. 1. That the Steelers didn’t win. Or…. 2. That the Steelers didn’t win by enough. Either way, it’s bound to be wildly entertaining. In the meantime, for our...
After perfect preseason, Kenny Pickett, Steelers offense bracing for adversity in season opener
Like the stock market, past performance for NFL teams in the preseason isn’t indicative of future results once September arrives. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that means the anticipation of a market correction after the first-team offense produced five touchdowns on five series over the three-game exhibition schedule. The Steelers exited...
Najee Harris: ‘No issue’ with ceding share of the Steelers captaincy to Kenny Pickett in ‘23
The tradition-philic Pittsburgh Steelers have never joined other NFL teams in adopting the usage of a “C” on the front left of a player’s uniform to denote a captaincy. With that in mind, Kenny Pickett’s rationalization for taking over a share of the Steelers’ captaincy from Najee Harris is more...
George Pickens more concerned with Madden rating than media expectations of on-field play
When it comes to the supersized expectations much of the NFL community has bestowed upon him for his second season, George Pickens is unfazed. “I don’t really pay too much attention to it, to be honest,” the prodigious receiver said after Pittsburgh Steelers practice Wednesday. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Pickens has...
Month after torn ACL, Cory Trice ‘in a good place,’ intends to be present all season with Steelers
Cory Trice meandered his way around the locker room at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. Leaning on crutches that resembled the tall and slender cornerback himself, Trice made his way to his locker. This, of course, isn’t the way he wanted his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers to go....
Tim Benz: A season-opening trend to watch that may decide Steelers-49ers outcome
When it comes to season-opening opponents, beginning the 2023 campaign against the San Francisco 49ers will continue a theme for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s the third straight year that Mike Tomlin’s crew will open their campaign against a reigning division champion. The 49ers won the NFC West in 2022. Last...
At least one Steeler wants to see George Kittle play for the 49ers Sunday
There’s at least one Steeler who actually wants to see George Kittle on the field Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. It shouldn’t be surprising that the Steeler we’re talking about doesn’t have to actually try to tackle him or cover him. “He’s the gold standard for tight end play. Him and...
First Call: T.J. Watt’s new taco commercial; ex-Steeler signs in AFC North; why Javon Hargrave wouldn’t sign in Cleveland
Wednesday’s “First Call” gives us a look at the latest commercial for Steelers star T.J. Watt. One ex-Steeler refused to play elsewhere in the AFC North, while another just signed to play within it. And time is running out on Nick Bosa if he wants to play with the 49ers...
Kenny Pickett being lone offensive captain is ‘no disrespect’ to leadership of others, Mike Tomlin says
A year after the Pittsburgh Steelers had two captains designated to represent the offense, they have only one – second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett. Mitch Trubisky was an offensive captain last season after winning the starting quarterback job in training camp. The other captain was running back Najee Harris. Pickett will...
As season approaches, Mike Tomlin keeping plans flexible for some Steelers’ defensive starters
Mike Tomlin’s initial depth chart of the regular season lists no definitive defensive starters at inside linebacker or strong safety. The same could be said at slot corner even though Chandon Sullivan is listed ahead of Elijah Riley. The Pittsburgh Steelers coach isn’t trying his hand at gamesmanship ahead of...
