Steelers notes: Run defense to be tested by Raiders, NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs

Coming off a performance against the run that bordered on the near-historic, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense again has a “varsity” opponent Saturday.

NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs and the Las Vegas Raiders present a challenge that dwarfs what the Carolina Panthers presented last week, when the 21 rushing yards was the ninth fewest the Steelers had allowed over the past 53 seasons.

“We’re just trying to build on the performance that we put out last week when it comes to stopping the run, which is something (the Raiders) do really well,” linebacker T.J. Watt said via video conference call after practice Friday. “They stick to the run, but they also have a really good play-pass game.”

Barring injury or a total collapse, Jacobs will win the 2022 NFL rushing title. His 1,495 yards is well ahead of second-place Derrick Henry’s 1,303. Jacobs’ 5.1-yard per-carry average is fourth in the league, his 11 rushing touchdowns fourth among NFL running backs and fifth overall.

Jacobs and Steelers featured running back Najee Harris were teammates in college at Alabama in 2017-18.

“I am happy for him,” Harris said Friday, “but we have to stop him this week.”

Johnson practices

Harris said the Steelers’ starting receivers duo of Diontae Johnson and George Pickens participated in Friday’s practice. Thursday, neither took part, according to the league-mandated injury report, Johnson because of a toe injury and Pickens because of illness.

Johnson remains officially listed as questionable to play Saturday, but he told reporters Thursday he will play.

Pickens was not given a status designation on the final injury report of the week released Thursday, an indication he will play against the Raiders.

Joining Johnson as listed as questionable are safety Terrell Edmunds (hamstring) and linebacker Myles Jack (groin).

Bringing the outdoors indoors

Friday’s practice was staged at the indoor facility, Harris said, but the large garage door, in addition to other doors, were left open during a late-morning/early-afternoon time period in which temperatures were in the low single digits Friday.

“It was good and cold in there,” Harris said, “just so we get sort of feel for how the game is gonna be Saturday.”

As of Friday afternoon, the forecast for the 8:15 p.m. kickoff Saturday was 12 degrees.

Though the initial plan was for it to be a light practice, Friday’s session was an extremely rare one for the Steelers in that it was the day before a game. They typically do only a walkthrough the day before games, regardless of what day the week the game is.

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