Steelers notes: Kenny Pickett, team in much better place than when last year’s bye hit

Kenny Pickett’s first bye week as a pro couldn’t have had him or his team any lower. Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers were 2-6 when they embarked on their annual idle weekend, having been blown out by three or more touchdowns twice over the prior four games.

Pickett, meanwhile, had lost all four games he finished as the team’s new franchise quarterback, throwing eight interceptions with just two touchdown passes.

This season as they head into their bye, the Steelers (3-2) are in first place in the AFC North. They’ve won three of their past four, including two wins against division rivals.

“From a record standpoint, we’re, obviously, a lot better,” Pickett said after Tuesday’s practice when asked to contrast his first two NFL bye weeks. “On top of our division. Things didn’t go perfect to get to this point, but we were in a position where we were able to win some games down the stretch and be in a good spot here.”

Of course, the offense’s contributions to the 3-2 start are minimal. The Steelers have five offensive touchdowns in five games. Pickett’s stats rank toward the bottom of the list of NFL starting quarterbacks in many significant categories.

The team off over the next five days, Tuesday joins next Monday as “bonus” practices before a normal week of preparation for an Oct. 22 game at the Los Angeles Rams. Could the offense tweak some schematics before the grind of the season hits?

“There’s some things that we’re just really not doing well, and if we’re beating our heads on the wall then let’s take it out and not do it,” Pickett said. “If there’s something we feel like we can add (in which) we have guys that we could put in position to be successful, then let’s add it. I think everything’s on the table. It’s having an open mind going into it.”

Calvin Austin OK

Two days after missing time against the Ravens while being evaluated for a concussion, receiver Calvin Austin III practiced and declared himself “all good.”

Austin returned to Sunday’s game but was replaced as the kickoff and punt returner for the remainder of the game by Gunner Olszewski.

Austin said he has been cleared to once again handle returner duties.

OLB signed

The Steelers filled their practice squad by signing outside linebacker Kyron Johnson. Johnson was waived last week by the Philadelphia Eagles, the team that had drafted him in the sixth round last year. The 6-foot-1, 223-pound Johnson appeared in 16 of the Eagles’ 17 regular-season games last season but was inactive during the playoffs as Philadelphia advanced to the Super Bowl.

Monday, the Steelers added running back Jack Colletto to the practice squad, releasing fullback Zander Horvath and punter Brad Wing. The latter move signals that Pressley Harvin III will be healthy enough to return in time to punt against the Rams after he missed the past two games because of a hamstring injury.

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