Steelers/NFL category, Page 213
How 2 Steelers fans nabbed the Immaculate Reception ball — and still have it today
Call it the Immaculate Handoff. Fifty years ago Friday, Jim Baker and his then-14-year-old nephew, Bobby Pavuchak, attended the Pittsburgh Steelers’ playoff game against the Oakland Raiders at Three Rivers Stadium. On that day, Dec. 23, 1972, they witnessed what is generally regarded as the greatest play in NFL history:...
Steelers greats recall The Immaculate Reception as it turns 50Video
Editor’s note: This story originally published on Dec. 18, 2022, three days before the death of Franco Harris. Franco Harris remembers what he said to himself going into the huddle moments before the defining play of his Pro Football Hall of Fame career. “The thoughts that come into your mind...
As season winds down, Steelers have handful of players eyeing bigger roles on defense
Teryl Austin doesn’t believe in the phrase “Wait till next year.” Not with four games remaining and not with the 5-8 Pittsburgh Steelers mathematically still in the hunt for the final spot in the AFC playoffs. Even if the Steelers are eliminated Sunday when they face the Carolina Panthers at...
Mitch Trubisky named starter for Steelers after QB Kenny Pickett ruled out
On the day the Pittsburgh Steelers traveled to Carolina for their game against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium, they downgraded quarterback Kenny Pickett to out because of concussion symptoms. Pickett had been listed as doubtful Friday, but he was ruled out from playing after the team went through...
Steelers 4 Downs: Third-down defense among best in NFL since bye
1. Third down’s the charm Over the first two games of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were allowing opponents to convert third downs at a rate that, in relation to the current standings, would be the worst in the NFL. Over their past five games (since their bye), the Steelers...
Steelers injury report: Myles Jack doubtful, perhaps opening door for rookie Mark Robinson
Mark Robinson was taken aback when he was approached by a handful of reporters in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ locker room Friday. “You wanna talk to me?” the rookie inside linebacker said. “I haven’t even played.” That could change Sunday in Carolina after veteran inside Myles Jack was listed on the...
Call it chippy or ‘crunky,’ Steelers cap off week with spirited practice
Days after getting beaten at home by their archrival and facing the prospect of mathematical playoff elimination as early as Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers by all accounts had a spirited practice Friday. “Guys were bouncing around. We were competing,” quarterback Mitch Trubisky said. “I thought we had some juice to...
Kenny Pickett doubtful, Mike Tomlin unwilling to name Steelers’ starting QB vs. Panthers
As a six-year NFL veteran who’s filled in a variety of roles and been in myriad depth-chart situations, Mitch Trubisky has seen plenty of timeshares at quarterback during a practice week. But he’d never before been a part of — as Mike Tomlin would say — a division of labor...
Mark Madden: Mismanagement of Steelers’ quarterback situation spans years
The Pittsburgh Steelers have thoroughly mangled their quarterback situation. That mismanagement could reach a new crescendo Sunday at Carolina if Mason Rudolph starts. Yesterday’s object of ridicule becomes today’s unlikely hero. Unless he screws up. Things first got botched when the Steelers eschewed any sort of succession plan as Ben...
First Call: Panthers may have healthy receiving weapon vs. Steelers; Ravens QB update
Friday’s “First Call” has a health update on an important target for the Pittsburgh Steelers defense to watch on Sunday in Carolina. We also get the latest on the Ravens’ quarterback situation in advance of their big AFC North showdown in Cleveland. We preview weekend action for both the Duquesne...
Friday Football Footnotes: Steelers’ run defense better improve — or it’ll be eaten up by Panthers’ ‘Arby’s package’
For the Pittsburgh Steelers rush defense, a season of perceived progress has recently reverted to the trashy results Pittsburgh fans witnessed throughout 2021. A year so bad for the defensive unit that it finished last in the NFL against the run at 146.1 yards per game. As recently as their...
‘We are trying to win a game’ – Steelers don’t plan on showcasing younger players
When speaking Thursday about who would replace the out-for-the-season Chris Wormley on the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin listed a cadre of players with two or fewer accrued seasons of NFL experience. A few minutes later, though, Austin demurred when asked if the Steelers might be more...
Pat Freiermuth, Myles Jack, Larry Ogunjobi remain out at Steelers practice
Cameron Sutton and Najee Harris returned to Pittsburgh Steelers practice Thursday, but Myles Jack, Pat Freiermuth and Larry Ogunjobi remained out. Starters at cornerback and running back, respectively, Sutton (neck/stinger) and Harris (hip) were upgraded after Wednesday when Sutton was listed as limited on the league-mandated injury report and Harris...
WR Diontae Johnson rooting for Mason Rudolph to get snaps at quarterback for Steelers
When he was a rookie in 2019, Diontae Johnson’s first NFL touchdown reception came on a pass thrown to him by Mason Rudolph. It took place in the third week of the year when Rudolph made his first career start for the Pittsburgh Steelers after Ben Roethlisberger sustained a season-ending...
U mad, bro?: Mike Tomlin, defensive coaches, punter and even long-retired Steelers get blistered this week
This week’s “U mad, bro?” comes on the heels of a season-defining loss by the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Baltimore Ravens. So I figured the blame was going to be spread throughout the entire organization. You all lived up to my lofty expectations. Doug is fed up with Steelers coach...
Steelers players take pride in defending Mike Tomlin’s non-losing season streak
It was 102 years ago when coach Knute Rockne told his Notre Dame players to “Win one for the Gipper.” Can the Pittsburgh Steelers win … four … for Mike T? “If we can’t come together for each other,” defensive lineman Montravius Adams said, “at least we can do it...
Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky split snaps at QB to open practice week for Steelers
There’s no truth that Mason Rudolph had to reintroduce himself to teammates when he got into the huddle with the first-team offense Wednesday. But it was the first time in weeks, if not months, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ fifth-year quarterback took snaps with the starters, so there was an adjustment period....
Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth, Myles Jack miss practice, T.J. Watt no longer listed on injury report
The starter at the highest-profile position got most of the attention. But five other starters were listed on the injury report after Wednesday’s Pittsburgh Steelers practice. Joining quarterback Kenny Pickett with a “limited” designation was cornerback Cameron Sutton, who was listed as having a “neck (stinger)” injury. Not practicing at...
Steelers sign DL Jonathan Marshall, place Chris Wormley on injured reserve
It was likely a priority over the coming offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers to get younger along their defensive line. An unfortunate circumstance began that process a little earlier. Chris Wormley was placed on injured reserve because of a knee injury that requires surgery, ending his season. The 29-year-old, six-year...
First Call: Steelers reportedly bringing back a familiar face; Alex Ovechkin scores 800th; RMU hockey return date known
Wednesday’s “First Call” features a familiar face potentially rejoining the Pittsburgh Steelers roster. Alex Ovechkin hits a major milestone. And Duquesne’s basketball team wants to find its early season form. Plus, Robert Morris University formalizes another step toward its re-entry to the college hockey world. Help up front The Steelers...
Mike Tomlin, Gene Steratore weigh in on legality of play that injured Steelers QB Kenny Pickett
Once it was clear that Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was injured during a sack from Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith on Sunday afternoon, the inevitable Twitter-victimizing began. “Why wasn’t that a penalty? Aren’t they supposed to be protecting the quarterbacks? I’ve seen hits less forceful than that get flags! He’s just...
Tim Benz: Get used to backup QB conundrum — Steelers will face it in depth this offseason
With the injury status of Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback Kenny Pickett up in the air, a conversation happening this week is also bound to be had frequently this offseason. Who is the best option to backup Kenny Pickett? As I feared last offseason, the Steelers coaching staff and front office...
Chris Wormley knee injury will require surgery, effectively ending his Steelers season
Chris Wormley’s third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers likely is over as a result of a left knee injury he suffered late in the third quarter Sunday in the 16-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Wormley was seen sporting a brace Monday, and coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that the...
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: Kenny Pickett will start at Carolina if cleared from concussion protocolVideo
Mike Tomlin said it’s too soon to know whether Kenny Pickett will be cleared to return from concussion protocol to start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday at Carolina. Tomlin also believes it is premature to name a starting quarterback in the event Pickett cannot play against the...
First Call: Steelers need to fix run defense before facing Panthers; ex-Pens help Wild win; Robert Morris hockey eyes return to ice
In Tuesday’s “First Call,” the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a Carolina Panthers team that has a very specific playoff path. And they are looking to get there by staying on the ground. Carolina may also have dodged an injury concern at wide receiver. A pair of former Penguins helped...
