Steelers/NFL category, Page 283
Zach Banner again not in uniform for Steelers in game vs. Browns
CLEVELAND — Zach Banner has been medically cleared to play, but the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t quite ready to use him during games. For the second consecutive game after his activation off the injured reserve list, Banner was designated as a gameday inactive for Sunday’s game at the Cleveland Browns. Banner’s...
The good, bad and scary of the Steelers’ storied rivalry with the Browns
Through seven-plus decades of NFL games, through the wins and losses and one tie, there has been one constant to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ rivalry with the Cleveland Browns: The bus ride up the turnpike. With the exception of the Browns’ three-year absence from the NFL in the 1990s, the Steelers...
With Melvin Ingram out, Steelers call up former 1st-round pick Taco Charlton
It’s Taco time for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense. With Melvin Ingram III ruled out from playing in Sunday’s game in Cleveland because of a groin injury, the Pittsburgh Steelers called up former NFL first-round pick Taco Charlton to serve as their primary backup at outside linebacker against the Browns. A...
Steelers Four Downs: On the shotgun, short yardage, deep passes and Watt Bros.
1. Shot and chaser There was chatter over the offseason after the promotion of Matt Canada to offensive coordinator that the Pittsburgh Steelers would go under center more often. That hasn’t played out. Ben Roethlisberger is in the shotgun as much as ever. According to data from footballoutsiders.com, the Steelers’...
Mark Madden’s Hot Take: Playing Baker Mayfield against Steelers complicates Browns’ attack
Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield wants to be a warrior. If he could, he’d wear the shoulder harness that protects his injured shoulder outside his jersey. Create a “Spirit of ’76” vibe. Turn it into a commercial. Mayfield has a torn labrum and a fracture in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. He...
Against Browns, Steelers’ T.J. Watt gets to show off oft-overlooked run-stop ability
T.J. Watt’s bona fides as an elite pass rusher need no explanation. Watt has 11 sacks in his past 19 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and, barring injury, he’s well on his way in joining Reggie White as the only players in NFL history to have four consecutive 13-sack seasons....
Najee Harris comfortable stretching workload for Steelers
The NFL’s official draft profile of Najee Harris featured legitimate concern about Harris’ durability because of the workload he undertakes and the punishment his body therefore endures. As the touches pile up during a rookie season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, though, Harris doesn’t share those worries. “Am I concerned? No,”...
Injured Steelers TE Eric Ebron will not play vs. Browns
Eric Ebron began the week insisting he is content with his increasingly diminished role in the Pittsburgh Steelers offense. He ended it injured significantly enough that he won’t play in the Steelers’ next game. Ebron did not practice Friday and will not play Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, the Steelers...
Amid reports he’s unhappy, Melvin Ingram misses Steelers practice – but because of injury
About as far as Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin would go in acknowledging veteran Melvin Ingram III is unhappy with his role on the team is to say he has spoken with him. Tomlin also insists Ingram’s absence from Friday’s practice is not related to reports he seeks a trade....
Browns QB Baker Mayfield plans to start against Steelers
BEREA, Ohio — Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield will start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, returning after missing one game with an injured left shoulder that will require management for the rest of this season. Mayfield practiced for the third straight day on Friday and coach Kevin Stefanski announced afterward...
First Call: Steelers could face familiar foe vs. Browns; celebrating Sidney Crosby anniversary; James Conner keeps scoring
Friday’s “First Call” tells us that the Steelers better be prepared for a familiar foe when they visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Another Browns player is already planning his post-touchdown celebration. We recognize a Sidney Crosby memory. And a former Steeler keeps ringing up points on the scoreboard. Ready...
Tim Benz: Unless Steelers have a better option, don’t give in to Melvin Ingram’s trade request
I apologize. You’ve read this Steelers column from me before. I first wrote it on Aug. 9. Three days earlier, ESPN reports surfaced stating that wide receiver James Washington had asked for a trade. My belief back then was that the Steelers shouldn’t acquiesce to Washington’s request because he’s a...
The 2 biggest issues facing the Steelers coming out of the bye and heading into Cleveland
There are plenty of areas where the Steelers can improve coming out of their bye week as they head into a crucial game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Let’s pick two. One on offense. One on defense. One — theoretically — is fixable. The other? I’m not so sure....
With Anthony McFarland, Zach Banner off IR, Steelers’ Matt Canada weighs their usage
Zach Banner and Anthony McFarland each figure to be part of the gameday roster this week for the first time this season. But what will their roles be within the Pittsburgh Steelers offense during Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns? Offensive coordinator Matt Canada shed little light on the coaching...
Melvin Ingram, Eric Ebron limited at Steelers practice
Amid reports he is unhappy with his role on the team, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram was a limited participant at Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday. Ingram was listed on the injury report with a groin injury for the second consecutive day. Ingram was not cited by coach Mike Tomlin as dealing...
Run defense expects to be tested often when Steelers face top-ranked Browns
The Pittsburgh Steelers used the bye week to identify the reason they had a season-high 14 missed tackles in their most recent game. They are using this week of practice to make fundamental adjustments as they prepare to face the NFL’s most prolific rushing offense. They will use their game...
Lack of interceptions ‘doesn’t really eat’ at Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
As a two-time, first-team All-Pro free safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick is counted upon to make big plays in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary. It hasn’t happened yet this season. Playing on a defense that has recorded just two interceptions — only two NFL teams have fewer — Fitzpatrick is searching for his...
First Call: Browns getting healthy ahead of Steelers game; troubling Pitt-Miami trends; Penguins prepare for red-hot Flames
Thursday’s “First Call” lets us know which Cleveland Browns are tracking to play against the Steelers Sunday. T.J. Watt’s brother, J.J., may be done for the rest of the season. The Calgary Flames are on fire heading into Thursday’s game against the Penguins. And Pitt’s game against Miami may be...
U mad, bro?: Readers dislike my Pitt column, questions for Mike Tomlin and college football OT format
This week’s “U mad, bro?” is peppered with Pittsburgh Steelers fans who resent me for asking Mike Tomlin about some vacant college coaching jobs. Others voice their displeasure with the new college football overtime format. And prickly Pitt fans are … well … just being true to who they have...
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger preps for perhaps final game at his home-state Browns
Ben Roethlisberger grew up a 2-hour, 15-minute drive from Cleveland. His first start there was as a 22-year-old in 2004, seven months after the Browns bypassed him in the draft to select a tight end. Sunday — perhaps — could be Roethlisberger’s final start at his home-state team that became...
Melvin Ingram limited at Steelers practice with groin injury
Coach Mike Tomlin said the Pittsburgh Steelers emerged from their idle week with a healthy roster. Wednesday’s practice proved it. The official league-mandated injury report was about as clean as it has been all season. It included two players recently activated off of the injured reserve list — running back...
Mark Madden: Rumors of Mike Tomlin being linked to college jobs was nonstory from the start
Mike Tomlin blew a gasket when he was asked about rumors linking him to the coaching positions at LSU and Southern Cal. Tomlin overdid it. It seemed he might start pounding the podium with his shoe. But the scene had value. It had a feel-good “Steelers for life” ring at...
After sitting out playoff game, Steelers CB Joe Haden awaits chance to face Browns
Confined to his house because of a positive covid-19 test, cornerback Joe Haden couldn’t believe what he saw unfold on the TV screen in his basement last January as he watched his teammates play his former employer in an AFC wild-card game. Haden watched the Cleveland Browns score a touchdown...
Steelers receiver Chase Claypool embraces running routes out of varying spots
Chase Claypool didn’t explicitly take over JuJu Smith-Schuster’s role during Smith-Schuster’s first game following season-ending surgery, and Claypool likely won’t ever be a full-time slot receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers. But that doesn’t mean Claypool doesn’t like getting deployed there. “I like playing all positions but especially being able to...
Browns’ Baker Mayfield practicing, hopes to play against Steelers
BEREA, Ohio — One game on the sideline was too much for Baker Mayfield. The Browns’ starting quarterback has no plans to repeat it. Mayfield tested his injured left shoulder by practicing Wednesday, and if all goes well, he intends to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers. “I think similar...
