Steelers notes: Donnie Shell on hand for Cam Heyward tying his defensive games record

When former Hall of Fame safety Donnie Shell arrived at Acrisure Stadium on Sunday, he was still in sole possession of the record of most games played for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a defensive player.

By the time the Steelers defense took the field against the New York Jets for the first time, though, Shell was merely a co-leader.

And he was OK with that.

“Awesome,” is how Shell described Cameron Heyward matching him by appearing in his 201st game for the Steelers. “Cam is a great, great guy. He does a lot in the community, and he’s an awesome player.”

A defensive lineman, Heyward made his 166th start Sunday night. In games played for the Steelers, Heyward trails only former quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (249 games), center Mike Webster (220) and receiver Hines Ward (217).

Shell was on hand along with two dozen other members of the 1974 Steelers team that won the franchise’s first championship, Super Bowl IX. The 50th anniversary of that team was celebrated by the Steelers this weekend.

McCollum 1st start

Ryan McCollum’s start at center was his second in the NFL and first since when, as an undrafted rookie for the Detroit Lions, in 2021 he started a Week 13 game at the Denver Broncos.

Starting in place of the injured Zach Frazier, McCollum became the ninth offensive lineman to start a game for the Steelers this season: Frazier, Dan Moore Jr., Broderick Jones, James Daniels, Spencer Anderson, Mason McCormick, Isaac Seumalo, Troy Fautanu and McCollum. Moore, at left tackle, is the only Steelers offensive lineman to start all seven games this season.

In those seven games, the Steelers have had five combinations of starting offensive linemen.

Adams in, then out

In uniform and active Sunday despite suffering a knee injury late during the practice week, veteran defensive tackle Montravius Adams left the game during the first half because of what was announced as a knee injury. It was not immediately clear if the ailment was an aggravation of what felled Adams on Friday.

Adams was deemed a limited participant at Friday’s practice, per the injury report, and he initially was listed as questionable to play Sunday. The Steelers announced the upgrade in Adams’ status Saturday while simultaneously adding veteran safety Damontae Kazee as questionable on their status report. Kazee, it turns out, sat out a second consecutive game Sunday because of an ankle injury.

The only other Steelers player who entered Sunday as questionable because of injury was rookie receiver Roman Wilson, and Wilson was named one of seven players inactive against the Jets. Wilson made his NFL debut during the previous week’s win at the Las Vegas Raiders but played only five snaps.

The Steelers previously announced Frazier (ankle), outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) and running back/returner Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle) would not play against New York.

With Russell Wilson starting and back to full health, veteran Kyle Allen was designated the “emergency” No. 3 quarterback Sunday.

The only healthy scratch announced by the Steelers was reserve running back Aaron Shampklin.

A pair of veterans — receiver Brandon Johnson and running back Jonathan Ward — were elevated from the Steelers practice squad to play.

Jets inactives

The Jets were without two starting cornerbacks. Nickel back Michael Carter missed a second consecutive game because of a back injury, and outside corner D.J. Reed was inactive because of a groin injury. Reed entered the weekend with a “questionable” status designation.

New York’s other inactives were healthy scratches: rookie receiver Malachi Corley, former Pitt running back Izzy Abanikanda, defensive lineman Braiden McGregor and reserve offensive linemen Max Mitchell and Carter Warren.

Going dark

For what is believed to be the first time, the Steelers dimmed the lights for pregame introductions Sunday. They announced the offense, climaxing with the announcement of Russell Wilson as the starting quarterback. Fans responded with a loud cheer for Wilson, who was making his Steelers debut.

Incidentally, Wilson’s start was his 189th in 13 NFL seasons. Only 15 quarterbacks in NFL history have started more games.