They were making expressive first-down gestures. Clapping their hands demonstratively. Jawing with defenders.

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive linemen had the look of being as engaged as they have all season during the second half of their most recent game, Sept. 28 in Dublin.

After a rough start to the regular season, the Steelers offensive linemen were feeling themselves late in that game against the Minnesota Vikings.

“Yeah,” right guard Mason McCormick said after practice Wednesday, “we had a lot of fun out there.”

Deservedly so. The Steelers had what were — by far — season bests in rushing yards (131) and yards per carry (4.5). Though Aaron Rodgers was sacked twice by the Vikings, the total of two sacks allowed in the Steelers’ two most recent games was a dramatic improvement from the seven sacks allowed over Weeks 1-2.

Pro Football Focus’ subjective grading rated the Steelers’ run blocking the best that it has been all season during the Vikings game, and the team’s aggregate of run- and pass- blocking also graded out the best for any game in 2025.

McCormick said what made the game so much “fun” for the Steelers guards, center and tackles was that getting an early lead meant a heavy reliance on the running game.

“For O-linemen, that’s what we want to do,” left tackle Broderick Jones said. “We want to be able to run the ball efficiently. So, you know, we’ve just got to continue to stay on the same track and continue to be able to run the football.”

The Steelers allowed four sacks and averaged 2.7 yards per carry in the season opener. For a unit that had four of the five starters combine for a mere five seasons of NFL experience heading into the year, that could have portended a trying season.

Since, though, the arrow gradually has been pointing up for the Steelers offensive linemen.

“Like I’ve been saying, we’re just continuing to get better every week and trying to build off the last performance,” McCormick said. “It’s the small things. And so, just coming out here to practice, replicating, getting better, that’s what we’re going to do.”

New signing

The Steelers signed inside linebacker Jacoby Windmon to the practice squad Wednesday.

Last year, Windmon (6-foot-2, 250 pounds) joined the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan State. He spent all of training camp and the preseason with the Steelers, but the Carolina Panthers signed him off their practice squad during the regular season.

Windmon appeared in eight NFL games as a rookie — starting two — with 22 tackles (12 solo, 1 for loss) and 1½ sacks.

A new return man?

Listed as a running back by trade, Raheem Blackshear was signed to the Steelers practice squad Monday most likely because of his skills as a return man.

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound native of Philadelphia led the NFL in kickoff returns last season while playing for Carolina. Blackshear averaged 25.5 yards on his 31 opportunities, and he also served as the Panthers’ primary punt returner.

“Whatever they need me to do,” Blackshear said after practice Wednesday, “I’ll do it.”

The Steelers likely need a punt return man Sunday because Calvin Austin III is probably out because of a shoulder injury. They also might prefer to shield starting running back Jaylen Warren from kick-return duties because Warren is coming back from missing a game because of a knee injury.

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