Joe Rutter stories, Page 31
Injured safety Minkah Fitzpatrick sits out practice again for Steelers
The practice week didn’t get off to a good start for free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who did not participate Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers began on-field preparations for their game Sunday at Seattle. Fitzpatrick missed the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati with a knee injury he sustained a week earlier...
Until Steelers came calling in spring, Mason Rudolph was serious about changing career fields
Mason Rudolph wasn’t kidding when he said he was ready to pursue a career in commercial real estate if he hadn’t gotten a spot on an NFL roster this season. Rudolph made the revelation after he led the Steelers to a 34-11 victory last Saturday against Cincinnati in his first...
Former Cowboys 2nd-rounder Jaylon Smith looking to help Steelers’ thin linebacker depth
Jaylon Smith isn’t concerned about joining the Pittsburgh Steelers just five days before they face the Seattle Seahawks with their playoff hopes on the line. He’s gotten ready to play in NFL games on shorter notice. Earlier this year, in fact, Smith had less preparation when the Las Vegas Raiders...
Pectoral injury will keep Elandon Roberts from suiting up for Steelers against Seahawks
Another week, another inside linebacker on the shelf for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed Tuesday at his weekly news conference that Elandon Roberts will miss Sunday’s game at the Seattle Seahawks with a pectoral injury he suffered in the Steelers’ 34-11 victory against Cincinnati on Saturday. Given the...
Winning out provides clearest, but not only, path for Steelers to reach the AFC playoffs
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks isn’t a must-win situation in terms of their playoff chances. A win, however, certainly would help their cause. According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, the Steelers’ chances of making the postseason increase from 13% to 26% with a victory...
Mason Rudolph to begin week as Steelers’ starting quarterback
For the second week in a row, Mason Rudolph will take the first-team reps at quarterback when the Pittsburgh Steelers begin their practice week. And, for the second week in a row, the health of Kenny Pickett’s right ankle will play a role in determining whether Rudolph finishes it that...
With playoff hopes on the line, Mason Rudolph and Steelers teammates wait to see if he gets 2nd start
Leave it to tight end Pat Freiermuth to break out the Christmas puns to quarterback Mason Rudolph as he prepared to make his first start Saturday in more than two years. As the Pittsburgh Steelers players were going through warmups, Freiermuth unleashed a few that Rudolph undoubtedly has heard before....
Mason Rudolph glows in Steelers blowout vs. Bengals
Tears welling up in his eyes and his voice starting to crack with emotion, Mason Rudolph spoke of the game ball he received Saturday night from defensive captain Cameron Heyward. It was a reward for what transpired in the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s first start in more than two years. Rudolph...
Patrick Peterson ready to for another taste of playing free safety in depleted Steelers secondary
When Patrick Peterson moved to safety out of necessity last Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts, it wasn’t his first dalliance playing the position. Peterson had taken occasional snaps there in about half of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ games this season, even playing free safety for 18 plays in Week 9 against...
Mike Tomlin: WR George Pickens won’t be benched for Steelers game against Bengals
If George Pickens faces any discipline from the Pittsburgh Steelers for his recent on-field conduct and subsequent comments to the media, it won’t be made public, and it won’t involve the second-year wide receiver being benched Saturday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Pickens is a...
Mason Rudolph earning his keep as he prepares to make long-awaited start for Steelers
As the newly installed quarterback of a team trying to break a three-game losing streak and get back into the AFC playoff race, Mason Rudolph had reason for optimism when he walked through the Pittsburgh Steelers practice complex Tuesday. One look at his face told the story. “I’ve smiled a...
Steelers WR George Pickens blames media, says he didn’t want to get hurt blocking on Jaylen Warren run
Fear of injury was the reason George Pickens didn’t finish his block Saturday when running back Jaylen Warren was bearing down on the goal line in the first quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game at Indianapolis. Warren was stopped short of the end zone. Although the Steelers eventually scored a...
Mike Tomlin sees ‘obvious room for improvement’ in Steelers WR George Pickens
Mason Rudolph isn’t the only member of the Pittsburgh Steelers whose role could change as they try to snap a three-game losing streak Saturday when they play the Cincinnati Bengals. It’s just that Rudolph’s ascent to starting quarterback is the only one that coach Mike Tomlin would share at his...
Steelers safety Damontae Kazee suspended for rest of season for hit on Colts WR Michael Pittman
Safety Damontae Kazee’s hit on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman on Saturday resulted in a suspension without pay for the final three games of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ season — and any potential playoff contests. Citing “repeated violations of playing rules intended to protect the health and safety of players,”...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says Mason Rudolph to start vs. Bengals
With the Pittsburgh Steelers trying to snap a three-game losing streak that has dropped them out of playoff positioning and into last place in the AFC North, coach Mike Tomlin is switching quarterbacks. Barring an early return by Kenny Pickett from ankle surgery, Mason Rudolph is in line to start...
5 things we learned: Message not getting through to Steelers WR George Pickens
Five things we learned from Colts 30, Steelers 13: 1. Slim Pickens Coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that second-year receiver George Pickens’ demonstrative frustrations with his role in the offense were becoming an issue because they were not “solution-oriented.” Tomlin told the team website in a story published Saturday morning that...
Steelers allow 30 straight points vs. Colts, fall to .500 after 3rd loss in row
INDIANAPOLIS — For 16 minutes Saturday, it looked like the Pittsburgh Steelers might race to a win that would soften the ills created by consecutive losses to two-win teams. For the remainder of the game, they remained stuck in neutral on offense and defense while watching the Indianapolis Colts run...
Slow starts remain common thread that Steelers would like to change against Colts
The offensive coordinator and play-caller have changed. So has the quarterback. A few things remain the same, however, for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they are deficiencies that Mitch Trubisky wants to correct Saturday in Indianapolis. “Slow start,” Trubisky said. “I have to be better on third downs. Got to execute...
Steelers’ T.J. Watt cleared by neurologist, no longer in concussion protocol
It’s too early to determine whether outside linebacker Alex Highsmith will be available to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis. T.J. Watt, though, appears to be good to go after being cleared Wednesday night by an independent neurological consultant. He no longer is in concussion protocol....
Minkah Fitzpatrick says Steelers’ attitude change must happen over the long haul
Almost a week after challenging the work ethic of his teammates following a loss to New England, Minkah Fitzpatrick said it is too soon to determine whether his message has been received. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro free safety indicated after the 21-18 loss — the team’s second to a two-win...
After moving up depth chart, backup QB Mason Rudolph working, waiting in case Steelers need him
A record 66 quarterbacks started at least one NFL game last season, an average of more than two per team. Mason Rudolph was not one of them. Through 14 weeks this year, 55 quarterbacks have made at least one start. Again, Rudolph is not among that group. Rudolph won’t start...
Mike Tomlin hopes Steelers understand urgency at hand after back-to-back losses to 2-win teams
As historic as the back-to-back losses to two-win teams were for the Pittsburgh Steelers, it wasn’t devastating to their chances of making the AFC playoffs. In fact, it had little impact. Despite becoming the first team in NFL history with a winning record to lose consecutive games to teams at...
Mike Tomlin says T.J. Watt was cleared to return for Steelers against Patriots
Mike Tomlin believes the Pittsburgh Steelers took the necessary steps to ensure that All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt didn’t return to their game last Thursday night with concussion symptoms. Watt was placed in concussion protocol on Saturday, two days after he played 52 of a possible 57 defensive snaps in...
Late-season collapses not foreign to Steelers, coach Mike Tomlin
It already has been established that the Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off the worst two losses in the Mike Tomlin era. No other team in NFL history with a winning record has lost back-to-back games to opponents at least eight games under .500, so how can it be viewed as...
Steelers linebackers T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith placed in concussion protocol
Two days after their 21-18 loss to the New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers have placed outside linebacker T.J. Watt in concussion protocol. Watt reported symptoms when he came to the team facility Friday for meetings and film study, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said Saturday. The NFL Network also reported...
