Steelers/NFL category, Page 205
Mistakes doom Steelers in close loss to Ravens
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to avoid their first losing season under coach Mike Tomlin — and keep alive any slim playoff aspirations they might have — they are going to have to run the table. The margin for error is nil as the result of a 16-14 loss...
Kenny Pickett forced out of Steelers loss to Ravens, remains in concussion protocol
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett left Sunday’s home game before the end of the first quarter and did not return after being placed in NFL concussion protocol. Veteran Mitch Trubisky replaced him in facing the Baltimore Ravens, which went on to win the game 16-14. After absorbing a tackle to...
Malik Reed among inactives, leaving Steelers thin at outside linebacker vs. Ravens
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without their designated top backup at outside linebacker Sunday when they play the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Malik Reed was removed from the injury report Saturday, yet he was among five players scratched from the game-day roster. Also inactive were quarterback Mason Rudolph, cornerback...
When it comes to facing Ravens backups, Steelers used to expecting the unexpected
It doesn’t matter to Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin that his team is preparing to face backup quarterback Tyler Huntley instead of starter Lamar Jackson. Just like it meant little when the Steelers had to face Robert Griffin III, Ryan Mallett or Troy Smith over the years. The Steelers have...
Steelers activate K Chris Boswell, cut Matthew Wright
For the first time since October, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have Chris Boswell back as their kicker. Boswell was activated from injured reserve Saturday and will kick for the Steelers when they face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Boswell hasn’t kicked since Oct. 23 because of a...
Steelers’ T.J. Watt, Diontae Johnson, Malik Reed upgraded on injury report, will play vs. Ravens
T.J. Watt, Diontae Johnson and Malik Reed were upgraded in their injury status Saturday and will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday’s home game against the Baltimore Ravens. All three were listed as questionable on the status report Friday. Watt and Johnson, in particular, had expressed optimism they would...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: George Pickens’ outburst wasn’t a problem, but where does it lead?
Wide receiver George Pickens exploded on the Pittsburgh Steelers sideline last Sunday at Atlanta because he wants the ball more. Pickens’ outburst has been excused by his coach, teammates and the media that cover the Steelers. A competitor should want the ball, we’re told. You’d rather have to say “whoa”...
Steelers 4 Downs: After 1-year hiatus, is Minkah Fitzpatrick back to playing at an All-Pro level?
1. Ode to Minkah Minkah Fitzpatrick was honored as a first-team AP NFL All-Pro during his first two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, though, Fitzpatrick went without any hardware. Fitzpatrick’s play in 2022 gives reason to believe he again will be in consideration for All-Pro honors. Only three...
Big plays, longer catches help Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth ascend to upper-echelon NFL tight end
Coming off a rookie season that featured several superlatives and set a franchise record, it was unusual to hear Pat Freiermuth use such a negative term to describe one aspect of his game last year. “My yards per (reception),” Freiermuth said this spring, “was atrocious.” It was anything but in...
Steelers-Ravens an even rivalry — except when backup QBs play … and Lamar Jackson is doubtful
Never over the 27 seasons the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have been playing has one of the teams had a six-game winning streak in the series. But one of the players taking part in Sunday’s meeting between the two does. Steelers defensive lineman Chris Wormley presumably is the only...
Offensive tackle Trent Scott embraces unique role for Steelers
When offensive lineman Trent Scott got to Pittsburgh and joined the Steelers, he was familiar with a player he in some ways replaced, Zach Banner. What he was not familiar with was a unique and colorful term the Steelers use to describe what has become his role. “Yeah, ‘nipple rubber,’...
T.J. Watt, Diontae Johnson questionable for Steelers vs. Ravens; each optimistic he’ll play
Two of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ highest-profile and highest-paid players are not assured of playing Sunday against an AFC North rival. Receiver Diontae Johnson and outside linebacker T.J. Watt were listed as questionable to play against the Baltimore Ravens, per the injury report released after Friday’s practice. Johnson has a hip...
Friday Football Footnotes: Dueling views on Steelers’ chances for a late-season surge
This week’s “Friday Football Footnotes” takes a look at some dueling views on the state of the 2022 Pittsburgh Steelers and Mike Tomlin’s place in it. The team is 5-7 with five games left. It needs to win at least four (or go 3-1-1) to avoid Tomlin’s first losing season...
‘I think we’re getting better:’ Matt Canada touts improvements in Steelers offense
In terms of yardage gained, the past four of the Pittsburgh Steelers outings have each ranked among their six best games of the season. The same is true in regards to offensive points scored. Notable, too, is that the Steelers have won three of their past four after a 2-6...
T.J. Watt downgraded; Chuks Okorafor, Najee Harris upgraded on Steelers’ injury report
Two starters on the Pittsburgh Steelers offense were upgraded on the league-mandated injury report Thursday, but the news for the MVP of the defense went the opposite direction. T.J. Watt did not practice Thursday after he had been listed as a limited participant the day prior. It’s possible, however, Watt...
Diontae Johnson sits out Steelers practice because of hip injury
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson did not practice Thursday, according to the league-mandated injury report. Johnson was listed as being a limited participant because of a hip ailment Wednesday, the first it was acknowledged publicly that Johnson was suffering from an injury of any kind in the wake of...
Steelers defense finding ways to get job done without producing QB sacks
In five weeks, an unprecedented run of NFL pass-rushing excellence will end for the Pittsburgh Steelers. For the first time since 2016, the Steelers won’t lead the NFL in sacks. And, barring an unexpected turnaround down the stretch, they also won’t reach the 50-sack plateau for the first time in...
Steelers kicker Chris Boswell returns to practice
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell returned to practice Thursday, more than four weeks after he had been placed on the injured reserve list because of a groin injury. The move opens up a 21-day window in which Boswell must be activated to the 53-man roster, or he is out for...
U mad, bro?: George Pickens’ outburst, Mike Tomlin-fan video, Kasperi Kapanen have Steelers, Penguins fans on tilt
Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers getting a second straight win for the first time all year, the temperature is hot in Steelers Nation. Lots of folks are taking heat. George Pickens. Mike Tomlin. Diontae Johnson. Me! Even Kasperi Kapanen of the Penguins is getting dragged. And he just had his best...
Steelers, Kenny Pickett cut down on sacks just in time to face Ravens defense
Kenny Pickett doesn’t expect to be so fortunate this Sunday. For the first time in eight NFL starts, Pickett wasn’t sacked when the Steelers defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 19-16, last weekend to win their second consecutive game. Pickett was hit four times but not brought down once in the 28...
Diontae Johnson, T.J. Watt limited in practice as Steelers prepare to face Ravens
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson and outside linebacker T.J. Watt began the practice week for the Pittsburgh Steelers participating on a limited basis. Johnson is dealing with a hip injury, and Watt has been bothered by a rib injury that prevented him from practicing fully last week. Both are expected to...
Steelers’ George Pickens downplays his displays of frustration with lack of targets
Soon after George Pickens took to the locker room’s logoed-background staging area reserved for group media sessions, he interrupted a reporter’s question Wednesday morning. Three days after he had one catch for 2 yards on two targets and was shown on CBS cameras purportedly complaining about his lack of involvement...
First Call: Ben Roethlisberger on George Pickens’ sideline sulking; 2 surprising Steelers on ESPN’s ‘overrated’ list
In Wednesday’s “First Call,” Ben Roethlisberger gives his reaction to the sideline histrionics of Pittsburgh Steelers receiver George Pickens. ESPN is calling Minkah Fitzpatrick and T.J. Watt overrated. And while one former Pirates star has a new home, another may be on the move once again. Seen this fish before...
Tim Benz: Mike Tomlin’s deaf ear to criticism of George Pickens shows he’s not listening to his quarterbacks either
I’m sure Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin thought he was simply supporting George Pickens by turning a deaf ear to criticism of the rookie wide receiver. But in doing so, Tomlin also turned a blind eye to the needs of rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett. Pickens took some fan and media...
Mark Madden: The Steelers could win out, but the season’s a lost cause anyway
The Steelers aren’t very good. But they are determined. Coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t necessarily make his teams or players better. But he does get those in his employ to compete doggedly and pursue lost causes. The Steelers are more likely to collapse when they’re on a roll than to pile...
