Steelers/NFL category, Page 164
Friday Football Footnotes: Aaron Donald quells talk of a Pittsburgh return; Steelers look for a 1st in L.A.
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at the prospect of Aaron Donald ever playing in Pittsburgh again. Steelers fans are hoping to witness a first in Los Angeles. Plus, we check out the rest of the landscape in local college action and the AFC North. No story here...
T.J. Watt added to Steelers injury report
A day after having about as clean a midseason injury report as possible, the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday had an addition Thursday. A big name, too. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt did not practice for what was listed as a heel injury. Watt, the NFL’s co-leader in sacks, was not listed...
Najee Harris used bye break to watch film in attempt to improve Steelers running game
Before he left Pittsburgh to enjoy his bye weekend in Atlanta, Najee Harris sat down to watch film of the Steelers running game through the first five weeks. He had a similar routine last year when he presented his findings to offensive coordinator Matt Canada. This time, Harris wasn’t alone....
Is this the week Joey Porter Jr.’s playing time takes a leap for Steelers?
For what it’s worth, the messaging has changed regarding the prospects for one of the greatest sources of angst among Pittsburgh Steelers fans: extra playing time for rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. It’s been a weekly question for defensive coordinator Teryl Austin — will Porter get deployed more often and...
First Call: Steelers learn fate of upcoming opponent QBs; Rams figuring out RB situation
Thursday’s “First Call” looks at the Los Angeles Rams’ complicated running back situation heading into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also, their coach is navigating a potentially dicey personal situation of his own in advance of game day. The Steelers are getting clarity about some upcoming quarterbacks on their...
U mad, bro?: No Steelers game? No problem. Still plenty of fan agitation to go around
You might think that, because the Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t play this past weekend, “U mad, bro?” would be lacking for content. You might think that. But if you live in Pittsburgh and follow our local sports teams, you know that couldn’t possibly be the case with our passionate fan base....
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin seems tired of questions on Steelers’ offense — here are ways to fix the problem
It certainly sounds like Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is tiring of questions about his struggling offense. “Man, I think we have talked about this a lot, haven’t we?” Tomlin responded when asked about the topic again Tuesday. Yes, indeed we have. For much of the past five years, actually....
All injured Steelers players practice fully, including Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth
It was a full-y fulfilling day for the Pittsburgh Steelers in regards to the handful of players they have working their way back from injury. Six contributors who missed at least one game of action all practiced fully Wednesday, according to the injury report. That is an encouraging sign the...
Steelers preparing for ways to handle former Penn Hills, Pitt star Aaron Donald
When he lines up behind center, surveys the defense and sees Aaron Donald glaring menacingly back at him on Sunday afternoon, Kenny Pickett won’t be as awestruck as the first time he encountered one of the NFL’s most decorated defensive linemen. That came in 2017 after Pickett had graduated high...
‘Old heads’ Patrick Peterson, Matthew Stafford to meet 1 more time in Steelers-Rams game
As Patrick Peterson said Wednesday, he knows he’s an “old head” in the NFL. The No. 5 overall pick 12 1/2 years ago, Peterson is one of only 13 active players left from the 2011 draft class. Peterson is looking forward to Sunday when he can match wits against one...
After signing Darius Rush, Steelers now have 3 of the top-rated CBs of 2023 draft class
If the Pittsburgh Steelers went into this past spring’s draft looking to acquire a top cornerback, they eventually found a way to get a few of them. The Steelers signed Darius Rush off the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad Wednesday, adding another big rookie cornerback to the organization. The 6-foot-2,...
Mark Madden: Steelers’ slow-playing talented rookies makes little sense
The Pittsburgh Steelers face a similar team Sunday. The Los Angeles Rams are meh but have a fistful of dangerous players, just like the Steelers. But who’s going to cover Rams receiver Cooper Kupp? Who’s going to block Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald? The Rams have a better coach and...
First Call: Steelers reportedly move on from Desmond King; Evgeni Malkin snubbed from another Top 100 list
Wednesday’s “First Call” starts with a surprising move by the Pittsburgh Steelers and a surprising omission for the Penguins from an ESPN list. Plus, it was a memorable night for a former Penguin, and an ex-Pirates executive may land a big-time job back in Major League Baseball. Well, that was...
Tim Benz: The time is right, the need is present for Steelers to start Broderick Jones, Joey Porter Jr.
I want to avoid committing the sports media sin of criticizing someone — in this case, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin — for something they haven’t done yet. But the fact that this is even a conversation at all is worthy of some critical words. Tomlin should end the slow...
Mike Tomlin anticipating return of ‘expert route running’ from Steelers WR Diontae Johnson
The play on which Diontae Johnson injured his hamstring in the season opener is one the Pittsburgh Steelers have been missing in his absence. Johnson caught a pass from Kenny Pickett 5 yards downfield, then he turned it into a 26-yard gain by juking his way down the field before...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin waiting before giving starting LT job back to Dan Moore Jr.
Just because Dan Moore Jr. took first-team reps in practice Monday doesn’t necessarily mean he will regain his starting left tackle job when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to proclaim Moore as the starter, a position he held for two-plus...
Former Steelers blossoming in L.A. after joining Rams
When the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Rams on Sunday, they’ll see a pair of former teammates who are thriving in Los Angeles. Ex-Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has started all six games for the Rams and played 94% of the defensive snaps for the Rams so far this year. He has...
First Call: Rams off-field issues and injury news; Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ next opponent is dealing with issues on and off the field. A former Steelers linebacker wants to make a comeback after some recent trouble in his personal life. The first college basketball poll of the season is out. And a Duquesne football star is getting some recognition....
Tim Benz: History says this is when the Steelers heat up. History better repeat itself
Over the course of the past six seasons, there have been a pair of obvious constants for the Pittsburgh Steelers. • They haven’t won a playoff game. • They haven’t had a losing season. You’re probably aware of that rather annoying push-pull dynamic by now, aren’t you? There have also...
Steelers emerge from bye week at relative full health; Pat Freiermuth, others poised to return
Each NFL team gets an idle weekend during its 18-week season. The merits of the timing of these byes can differ by team and situation. For the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, a case could be made that their week off came at an ideal time. During a “bonus” session as...
Steelers left tackle Dan Moore back at practice, reclaims 1st-team reps over Broderick Jones
Dan Moore Jr. was back at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Monday. And he was back with the first-team offense, too. Moore confirmed he was taking reps with the starters when speaking after Monday’s session at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. The three-year veteran said he suffered a sprained MCL during an Oct....
First Call: Steelers’ next foe brings WR challenge; AFC North goes 3-0 with boost from WPIAL alumni; Titans QB concern
Monday’s “First Call” examines a challenge facing the Pittsburgh Steelers for their first game back from the bye. We take a look at the AFC North after some WPIAL alumni helped the teams go 3-0 this weekend. The idea of a London Super Bowl is still on the table. An...
Madden Monday: Of the 4 games after the bye, Steelers ‘might lose every game, but they won’t win every game’
The Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2) are coming out of the bye with a game in Los Angeles against the Rams, then home games versus Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Green Bay. Not exactly daunting stuff. The combined record of those teams is 11-12. Yet given the offensive struggles of the team over the...
Steelers inside linebackers look to build upon growth made against Ravens
Before Joey Porter Jr.’s interception that changed momentum last Sunday and led to the go-ahead touchdown for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kwon Alexander set the stage with a play that put the Baltimore Ravens in that passing situation. Alexander’s open-field tackle on tight end Mark Andrews resulted in a 1-yard loss...
Ben Roethlisberger aside, Kenny Pickett holds own against Steelers QB predecessors at start of career
When the Pittsburgh Steelers return from their bye and face the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday, quarterback Kenny Pickett will make his 18th career start. That’s one more than what constitutes an NFL season, which was expanded in 2021. Given that mile marker in Pickett’s nascent career, it seemed like...
