Mike Tomlin got explanation, not 'clarity' about way officials handled end of regulation vs. Seattle

Mike Tomlin took his concerns to NFL offices regarding the way the final moments of regulation unfolded Sunday night when play was halted and the Seattle Seahawks were given time to spike the ball and then kick a tying field goal.

“I got an explanation,” Tomlin said after a bye-week practice Tuesday. “I wouldn’t necessarily say I got clarity.”

After the Pittsburgh Steelers prevailed in overtime 23-20, Tomlin was livid about the stoppage in play. It came after DK Metcalf caught a pass near the left sideline with time winding down. Instead of running out of bounds, Metcalf cut inside and lost control of the ball when Steelers cornerback James Pierre jarred it loose.

The Seahawks, after recovering the ball, scrambled to get to the line of scrimmage for quarterback Geno Smith to spike the ball and stop the clock. His spike appeared to come just before the final whistle.

In the aftermath of the review, officials put 3seconds on the clock. Smith spiked the ball, and Jason Myers kicked a 43-yard field goal that forced overtime.

After the game, Tomlin called the decision to review whether Metcalf caught the ball “an embarrassment.”

Tomlin’s criticism could lead to a fine, and he didn’t want any part of adding to that total Tuesday when asked what he learned about the play in the aftermath.

“The game was stopped by the replay guy to find confirmation of a component of the play on the field, and I didn’t agree with that in this most significant moment,” he said. “I expressed it, and I had some conversations with New York regarding it. Got an explanation. I wouldn’t necessarily say I got clarity, but I’m not going to discuss it any further. It’s in our rearview.

“It doesn’t benefit me or us in any way to continue to hash it, rehash it. So that is my position. Oftentimes after games, particularly hot, contested games like that, I acknowledge things that transpire in the bowl, particularly things that I think are significant. But on a Tuesday, as we and everyone else is moving forward, it’s fruitless for me to continue to expand upon it in my position and what was said and who said what, and what I expect to happen in reaction to it.

“I understand that you guys are interested, but pardon me if I don’t indulge it.”

When asked whether the replay rule needs to be adjusted and whether the Seahawks got the initial spike off in time, Tomlin said he wasn’t “acknowledging any other component of the conversation.”

Waiting on Tuitt

Defensive end Stephon Tuitt remains on injured reserve with a knee injury that required surgery before the start of the season. Tomlin said it remains to be seen whether Tuitt is able to return to practice when the Steelers return from the bye.

Once Tuitt is designated to return, the Steelers have 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster.

“He’s still on IR and working hard and making progress,” Tomlin said. “How close he is to returning to play, I do not have the answer to that as I stand here right now.”

The Steelers must make a decision on whether to activate running back Anthony McFarland from IR next week when they begin preparations for their Oct. 31 game at Cleveland.

Ready to return

The Steelers could have waited until early this week to activate right tackle Zach Banner from injured reserve. Instead they beat the clock on his 21-day window by activating him Saturday when he took JuJu Smith-Schuster’s roster spot.

Banner, though, did not dress Sunday against Seattle. His return will have wait until the Steelers play the Browns.

“He’s in a good position. We’re in a good position,” Tomlin said. “It’s something we wanted to look at on the other side of the bye. It has no bearing on the decision we’re going to make in the upcoming weeks.”

Tomlin must determine whether Banner starts at right tackle and, if so, whether Chuks Okorafor returns to left tackle, a move that would send rookie Dan Moore Jr. to the bench. Moore left the game against the Seahawks with an injury.