Steelers/NFL category, Page 276
Steelers, Chase Claypool hoping performance against Chargers step in right direction
In a season that has featured more injuries and games missed than touchdown catches, Chase Claypool flashed back to better times last Sunday night when he pulled in a 37-yard reception against the Los Angeles Chargers. “It was like rolling the clock back to last year when we did a...
Greg Fulton: In honor of James Harrison, the ultimate grinder
If there were a Grinder Hall of Fame, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison would be in it. In fact, his statue might be in front of it. Grinder is a term in sports that refers to a player who may not have been born with great natural skills or physical...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Robert Spillane is better option than Devin Bush for Steelers
Devin Bush Jr.’s father called a Pittsburgh radio show to defend his son’s subpar performance at inside linebacker for the Steelers. Devin Bush Sr. made two points: • Devin Bush Jr.’s knee isn’t all the way back after ACL surgery last year. • If you didn’t play the game, you...
2 top offensive rookies to meet in Steelers’ Najee Harris, Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase
By virtue of playing in college for LSU and Alabama, respectively, Ja’Marr Chase and Najee Harris have faced each other often and are natural rivals. That’ll continue in the NFL now that Harris is a Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back and Chase a rookie wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals....
Notebook: Steelers down to No. 3 left guard after J.C. Hassenauer injury
It will be three games, three starting left guards for the Pittsburgh Steelers. J.C. Hassenauer’s inability to play during Sunday’s game at the Cincinnati Bengals was cemented by way of the injury report released Friday. Hassenauer started last week’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers in place of starter Kevin...
Steelers seek to avoid rare season series sweep at hands of Bengals
Fans who make the trip typically travel by car. The team takes a chartered flight. By boat — right down the Ohio River — is an option, too. Whatever the method, the annual 300-mile journey southwest usually has been a happy one for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Until the past 12...
Beleaguered Steelers defense to get T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick back into lineup
With every Justin Herbert scramble, every Austin Ekeler touchdown and every one of the 533 yards the Los Angeles Chargers amassed Sunday night, three of the men most capable of stopping them were powerless to do so. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and cornerback Joe Haden are three...
Mark Madden: Steelers aren’t facing the typical ‘Bungles’
For years, Pittsburgh has referred to the Cincinnati Bengals as the “Bungles.” (Thanks, Myron.) With good reason, too: The “Bungles” stink. But maybe not anymore. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990. They haven’t been to a playoff game since 2015, and they blew that in spectacularly stupid...
Keith Butler expects improvement from Steelers defense, Devin Bush
When the Pittsburgh Steelers gave up a franchise-record 610 yards to the New England Patriots in 2013, Keith Butler observed that 55-31 beating in his role as linebackers coach. It was just as painful to watch Sunday night when the Los Angeles Chargers put up 533 yards — the most...
Joe Haden returns to Steelers practice; T.J. Watt remains limited
Joe Haden returned to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, the first time the veteran cornerback took to the practice field since suffering a foot injury during a game two weeks ago. Haden was listed as a limited participant on the league-mandated injury report, meaning Friday’s final practice of...
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick activated off NFL covid list
The Pittsburgh Steelers activated off Minkah Fitzpatrick of the NFL’s covid-19 list Thursday, clearing the way for the All Pro safety to return to game action Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fitzpatrick missed this past Sunday’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers after he was added to the list early...
Every Thanksgiving, Charlie Batch recalls infamous Steelers-Lions coin-flip gameVideo
It is now — literally — half a lifetime ago for the 46-year-old Charlie Batch. But what began as an eager opportunity for a rookie NFL quarterback to face his hometown team on national television turned into one of the quirkiest and infamous memorable moments in Thanksgiving football history. “People...
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward hasn’t heard from NFL about alleged punch of Justin HerbertVideo
Cameron Heyward has heard what some people have said about him this week on social media, and it hurts. But one entity he hasn’t heard from yet over the past few days is the NFL office. And that, Heyward hopes, means his wallet won’t also be hurt. With 3½ days...
T.J. Watt limited, Joe Haden does not practice in attempts to return to Steelers lineup
Of the three high-profile members of the Pittsburgh Steelers defense who missed this past Sunday’s game, only one returned for the beginning of a new week of practice. And that one returnee was limited in his participation, at that. All Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt was listed on the league-mandated...
Role in winning TD against aside, Steelers rookie Tre Norwood relished opportunity to start
Rookie seventh-round pick Tre Norwood repeatedly used words such as “grateful” and “blessed” to play every defensive snap of this past week’s Pittsburgh Steelers game. It was the final meaningful snap among them, though, that was most regretful for the Steelers. Norwood was part of a secondary that was duped...
Ben Roethlisberger more comfortable running no-huddle than earlier in Steelers’ season
For the first time since Week 4 in Green Bay, the Pittsburgh Steelers featured extensive use of the hurry-up offense in the second half Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. Beginning late in the third quarter, Ben Roethlisberger went to the no-huddle on 11 plays, and that helped spark...
Former Steelers WR Hines Ward among 26 semifinalists for 2022 Hall of Fame class
For a sixth consecutive year, Hines Ward has made it to within two steps of enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver on Wednesday was named as one of 26 modern-era semifinalists to be part of the 2022 induction class. Ward, who retired...
U mad, bro?: Loss to Chargers has Steelers fans grousing about Mike Tomlin, defensive depth, red-zone play-calling
Here is something to be thankful for, Steelers fans. Because of Thanksgiving this Thursday, you get “U mad, bro?” a day early. You also don’t have to deal with my snark, sarcasm and general crotchety disposition to upset your stomach before your turkey dinner. Instead, I’ll just set the table...
Mike Tomlin admits ‘spotty’ play, lack of consistency from Steelers LB Devin Bush
After watching Devin Bush struggle defending the pass and run in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, coach Mike Tomlin said the play of the former No. 10 overall pick has been “spotty at times” this season. “It hasn’t been at the level of consistency that...
Steelers place WR Ray-Ray McCloud on reserve/covid list, promote TE Kevin Rader
For the third time in two weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed a player on the reserve/covid list. Wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud became the latest player to either test positive or be in close contact with a positive test case. McCloud follows in the heels of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and free...
Mike Tomlin takes blame for Steelers’ defensive deficiencies in loss to Chargers
Mike Tomlin admitted the Pittsburgh Steelers got caught in a numbers game on defense Sunday night. And it led to the Los Angeles Chargers putting some inflated ones on the scoreboard and the stat sheet when they handed the Steelers a 41-37 defeat at SoFi Stadium. The points allowed were...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin embraces urgency vs. Bengals
After watching Devin Bush struggle defending the pass and run in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, coach Mike Tomlin said the play of the former No. 10 overall pick has been “spotty at times” this season. “It hasn’t been at the level of consistency that...
Mark Madden: Steelers should follow lead of Cam Heyward, Ben Roethlisberger
Refreshing sports notes are the Thanksgiving dinner of journalism: Something for everybody, and a lot of it. Dig in! • Cam Heyward and Ben Roethlisberger were the primary factors in the Steelers rallying to almost win Sunday at Los Angeles. They’re focused professionals and real Steelers. Heyward was double-teamed all...
Steelers vs. Chargers Week 11 film study: Positives outweigh negatives after loss in L.A.
NFL football analyst Matt Williamson will break down each of the Steelers games this season in the Trib’s Steelers Film Study. Here’s what he saw in the Steelers’ Week 11 loss to the Chargers. On Sunday night in Los Angeles, in front of a crowd that greatly favored the Steelers,...
Tim Benz: Praise for Steelers’ gutsy effort in Los Angeles is warranted but comes off as empty
I’d love to pound out a column applauding the Steelers even though they lost 41-37 Sunday night in Los Angeles. Since coach Mike Tomlin’s squad was missing five starters on defense, they should be praised for making a valiant comeback against a quality Chargers team, with a blossoming young quarterback...
