Friday, December 1

Ready to return: The Steelers defense will get a shot in the arm on Sunday with the expected return of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury, but returned to practice this week and on Friday was asked a simple question.

Will you play on Sunday?

"Yup," was Fitzpatrick's reply.

The follow up was how he is feeling, and the answer was also simple and to the point.

"Great," answered Fitzpatrick.

Dealing with the hamstring injury is something that Fitzpatrick wasn't thrilled about, but he knew he had to let it heal properly.

"It's one of those things you have to take your time with, be patient," said Fitzpatrick.

His presence on the field is something that is hard to measure, as he brings the intangibles along with his crazy football skills.

"One, he brings a lot of communication," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "Two, he is a heck of a player. Covers a lot of space.

"I know we have had a lot of guys in there, moving things around, but you get a guy like that back, it's definitely a big plus for our team."

This will be the first time that Fitzpatrick, Heyward and T.J. Watt will be on the field together since Week 1 of the season, as Heyward left the game in the first half injured and Fitzpatrick was out when Heyward returned to the field.

"It's exciting," said Fitzpatrick. "I didn't realize it was only one quarter. I thought it was a game or two. But all of the pieces are back on the chess board.

"We're all 'A' players, so we should all be playing on an 'A' level."

The defense has been playing on that type of level, and with Fitzpatrick back it might be time for them to peak, and just at the right time.

"I think our arrow is up, but we haven't peaked yet," said Fitzpatrick. "Our arrow is trending in the right direction, but there are a lot of things we have to be better at."

Simply the best: Coach Mike Tomlin didn't hold back this week when talking about linebacker T.J. Watt.

"Let's be honest," said Tomlin. "T.J. is the best defensive player on the planet right now. And he proves that week in and week out with the plays that he delivers us."

Those are words that Tomlin takes seriously, and Watt does as well. 

While he doesn't focus on 'being the best,' he does focus on being the best for the team. 

Because if there is one thing he is about, it's team.

"I am trying to be the best player I can possibly be," said Watt. "You can't really look at everything else. I think there's just so much going on in the season, so many more pressing things to focus on than who's the best and all that stuff. 

"I just want to continue to be the best player I can be for myself and for this team."

Double trouble: The Steelers ground game has taken off as of late, becoming a strong staple for the offense.  

The last four weeks the Steelers have put up big numbers on the ground, including 166 yards, 205 yards, 102 yards and 153 yards during that four-game stretch. 

And a key factor in that is using the dual-back threat of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. 

"It's huge," said tackle Broderick Jones. "Both of them are workhorses, both work hard. Just having both of them being able to rotate. It's not a fall off when one comes in and one goes out. It's a plus." 

It's a tale of two players, Harris a first-round draft pick and Warren coming to the Steelers undrafted. 

But it's worked, with Warren bringing a different approach.  

"With Jaylen, his center of gravity. He bounces off tackles," said defensive tackle Cameron Heyward. "He is able to keep his feet churning. He is always turning a three-yard run into a six-yard gain. 

"The balance between him and Najee has been really good. There isn't a drop off between either of them. When you have those guys bouncing out, they are able to stay healthy, fresh and you see the rushing game the last couple of weeks. It's been really nice to have."

Anxious to hit again: For Montravius Adams, being on the sidelines for the last three games hasn't been easy.

Adams is a guy that wants to put his hand in the pile, wants to be out there with his teammates, so dealing with his ankle injury has been a challenge.

"It's frustrating because it was play one or two plays of the Tennessee game," said Adams. "I didn't get to play against Green Bay, who I wanted to play against. Then I missed two conference games.

"You just want to get back and start hitting people."

This week, his status is still unknown with him listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Adams wanted to go against the Packers, the team he played his first four seasons in the NFL with, and no doubt he didn't want to miss two AFC North games against the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals.

But he knew getting right was the most important thing, so the ankle injury doesn't linger. 

"I am very anxious, but not trying to take a step back or anything like that," said Adams. "I don't want to be selfish and take reps if I am not feeling better."

While he has been out, he has been encouraged by the play of the rest of the defensive line, including rookie Keeanu Benton, as well as Isaiahh Loudermilk and Armon Watts.

"I am interested in seeing the guys growing," said Adams. "I am interested in seeing the guys play well.

"I get to see the young guys like Keeanu, guys like Milk (Loudermilk) talking steps, guys like Armon taking steps.

"For me it's about coming back with the same mentality and making sure I don't take a step back and just keep going."

Whatever it takes: Interim offensive coordinator/running backs coach Eddie Faulkner went out of his way on Thursday to praise wide receiver Allen Robinson for doing "all the dirty work," but Robinson maintained he's only doing what he expects from himself.
That's to do whatever it take to win, whatever the case may be.

"At the end of the day everything across the board is a little bit better when you're winning," Robinson offered. "And when you prioritize that different things fall into pace."

Faulkner thinks there's much more to it than that as it relates to Robinson, a 10-year veteran in his first season with the Steelers.

"We had kind of an appreciation post for 'A-Rob' in the meeting," Faulkner said. "Here's a guy who's had an unbelievable career, he's caught 600-some balls, made a lot of money and he does all the dirty work on a regular basis and is excited to do it.

"Whenever we're trying to make an example of the consummate professional, that s No. 11. He is awesome."

Only 23 of Robinson's 551 career receptions have been made for the Steelers, but of late he's shown up repeatedly blocking in a much-improved running game.

And on this much Faulkner and Robinson are in agreement, he's happy to do whatever's asked.

"You get to a point in time where you want to win," Robinson said. "Winning, that comes with sacrifices, that comes with whatever it takes to win. Being in a relatively young (wide receivers) room I want to be able to be an example. 

"Things are going to happen throughout the course of a season but as long as we stay locked in to what our agenda is and achieving our goals, which is winning, everything else will take care of itself."

Robinson has gleaned his perspective from personal experience, from others over the course of his career in the game, and from some seemingly unlikely sources.

"I've been able to not only be around others who may have been blockers but take different tidbits from here and from there on my experience on just being able to execute those blocks, being able execute different concepts," Robinson said.

"When you look at a team like the (NBA's Golden State) Warriors, sometimes a person like Draymond Green may not get as much credit. But he has to set screens, he's rebounding, different things like that. So when it comes to an overall team perspective, whatever is thrown on my plate, that's what I want to be able to execute. Whether that's (catching) passes, blocks, whatever the case may be I want to be where I need to be when I need to be there to help our team achieve victory."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Steelers-Colts game details announced: The NFL has released the date and time of the Steelers Week 15 game against the Indianapolis Colts.

The game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will air on the NFL Network and KDKA-TV in the Pittsburgh market.

The game was one of a handful of Week 15 games the league did not set a date and time for when the schedule was released.

Pro Bowl voting is open: Steelers fans, it's time to vote. And make sure you do it early, and often.

For your favorite Steelers players that is.

Voting is now open for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the second year for the new-look games.

The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by days of activities, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 4.

Leading into the game there will be fun-filled and unique skill competitions, giving fans a different look at all of the league's top players.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 25. A social aspect of voting will be available beginning on Dec. 11, so keep an eye out for that.

Cast your votes today.

Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place. Start your free trial today here.

Thursday, November 30

Continuing the journey: Heading into Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, the Steelers are in second place in the AFC North and hold the fifth spot overall in the AFC. 

There is still a lot of work to be done, though, and Cameron Heyward knows it. 

"I don't know if I like where we are at," said Heyward. "I think we are just improving. At this juncture of the journey, we have to keep doing that."

To keep doing that the Steelers need to beat the Cardinals, who are 2-10, with only the 1-10 Carolina Panthers behind them in the NFC standings. 

As Heyward, and everyone in the Steelers locker room knows, records mean nothing in the NFL. 

"You're stupid if you look at records at this point," said Heyward. "Every team has players that can take over a game. For us, one game at a time. The work comes in the practices and then on Sundays it's about locking in and understanding you have to have your best game that day."

It's a time of year when a healthy team is needed, and the Steelers are definitely trending in that direction. After dealing with injuries all season long, a healthy unit could soon be back together, including potentially getting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick back this week. 

"One, he brings a lot of communication," said Heyward. "Two, he is a heck of a player. Covers a lot of space. 

"I know we have had a lot of guys in there, moving things around, but you get a guy like that back, it's definitely a big plus for our team."

Like Heyward said, the defense has had movable pieces over the last month all over the field, with many answering when their number was called.  

"I think it builds rotation, it builds depth," said Heyward. "But I think it's a testament to coaches working with guys day in and day out. I can't say enough about the guys who have stepped in. 

"We preach next man up, but it's a group of men stepping up and grabbing it by the reins."

Loving the challenge: Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. loves a challenge. 

It's something he will never back down from. 

And it's something he welcomes with open arms.

So when he draws the assignment of covering the opposing team's best receiver, he lights up.

He lights up even when he just talks about it.

"I really enjoy it," said Porter. "This is something a corner always wants. A corner is remembered by its matchups. 

"The fact that I get to go against these guys and match up with them early, it's fine with me."

Porter continues to hold his own each week, holding the Bengals Ja'Marr Chase to four receptions for 81 yards last week. 

"I always take it personally, especially since it's their main guy," said Porter. "I always want to be the guy that shuts down or locks down their guy. I take that with a big chip on my shoulder."

Schedule update: The NFL has released the date and time of the Steelers game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15.

The game will be played on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. The game will air on the NFL Network nationally, KDKA-TV locally in the Pittsburgh market.

The game was one of a handful of Week 15 games the league did not set a date and time for when the schedule was released.

Flipping sides: From the outside, it might seem like an easy flip, going from left tackle to right tackle. 

It's anything but. 

Nonetheless, rookie Broderick Jones has made it look seamless. 

"The more reps I get, the more comfortable I get with it," said Jones. "Just flipping the plays in my head. Going from one side to the other, just trying to forget what I knew on the left and flip everything. It's all backwards."

Jones made the switch to right tackle against the Green Bay Packers, starting the last three games at the spot.   

"Just making sure you are going the right way," said Jones of adjusting to it. "I remember one game against Green Bay, I went the wrong way. Having that mental toughness and awareness to flip everything." 

Going the right way appears to be the trend right now for the team's offense, which has seen steady growth throughout the year, especially over the last few weeks in the run game. 

Jones said he felt like the entire group played as a collective against the Bengals in a week that had some change with the shakeup at offensive coordinator. 

"I feel like we played more as a collective on the offensive side of the ball," said Jones. "Just everybody being on the same page, playing together, for each other. As long as everybody is on the same page, we will be all right.

"We had a meeting earlier that week setting goals for ourselves on the offense, what we wanted to accomplish. We still didn't hit all of our goals, three touchdowns was one of our goals. 

"We're still working toward our goals, just come together, play together."

Focused on the task at hand: The Steelers move on to Arizona this Sunday at Acrisure Stadium having allowed 222 total net yards and 10 points against the Bengals and 259 yards and 13 points against the Browns on Nov. 19 in Cleveland.

The Steelers will host the Cardinals this Sunday having allowed 20 points once in their last seven games (a 20-10 loss to Jacksonville on Oct. 29).

They've tightened up defensively despite losing inside linebacker Cole Holcomb for the season on Nov. 2 against Tennessee and inside linebacker Kwon Alexander for the season on Nov. 12 against Green Bay, and despite not having free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick available for the past four games.

"We don't talk about who's not there, we talk about who is there," Cam Heyward said. "Guys are stepping up in those opportunities. It speaks to the practice and the communication of the group.

"The group is the group, and we just have to keep rolling."

The Steelers have been rolling against ground games of late, holding the Browns to 96 yards rushing and the Bengals to 25.

"It's gotta be a constant," Heyward maintained. "No matter what we do we have to be willing to get after the run. One week is not enough. We're presented with new challenges week in and week out. We have a good rushing game coming in with (Cardinals running back) James Conner and more.

"Gotta look forward to getting after them."

Conner has amassed 526 rushing yards on 104 attempts (a 5.1-yard average per carry) and has two rushing touchdowns.

Quarterback Kyler Murray has run the ball into the end zone once in each of the three games he's played this season and Arizona quarterbacks have a combined seven rushing touchdowns in 2024 (three by Josh Dobbs, who is now in Minnesota, and one from rookie Clayton Tune). The Cardinals are 10th overall in rushing with an average of 121.8 yards per game.

Putting the clamps on the Cardinals' ground attack would be another feather in the cap for a defense that's starting to play with the effectiveness the Steelers have envisioned all along.

"It's always in reach, it's just about doing it and executing at a high level," Heyward maintained. "We preach so much about that.

"The job is never done. Even if you do it one week you gotta do it again."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Pro Bowl voting is open: Steelers fans, it's time to vote. And make sure you do it early, and often.

For your favorite Steelers players that is.

Voting is now open for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the second year for the new-look games.

The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by days of activities, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 4.

Leading into the game there will be fun-filled and unique skill competitions, giving fans a different look at all of the league's top players.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 25. A social aspect of voting will be available beginning on Dec. 11, so keep an eye out for that.

Cast your votes today.

Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place. Start your free trial today here.

Wednesday, November 29

Knowing their identity: Running back Najee Harris said on Wednesday he feels like the Steelers offense has their identity now. 

And what is it?

"Running the ball," Harris simply stated.

And the numbers agree. 

The last four weeks the Steelers ground game has put up big numbers. Over the last four games they have put up 166 yards, 205 yards, 102 yards and 153 yards on the ground.   

"We were just executing really well," said Harris of this past week against the Bengals, when he had 15 carries for 99 yards. "We have our identity as an offense, so it's easier to play." 

Harris said there was no major overhaul or anything like that this past week with the change at offensive coordinator. It was just a matter of interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner, offensive line coach Pat Meyers, and quarterbacks coach and play-caller Mike Sullivan all working together.  

"It was good that Pat and Coach Faulk did a good job preparing us throughout the week," said Harris. "As a team we did a really good job with a lot of distractions outside. Us as an offense, going out there and executing, putting up the yardage. 

"I tip my hat to us as a team. Pat, Sully and Coach Faulk getting us ready for the week, motivating us. Coach Faulk, his leadership there, deserves more talk."

And Harris was more than willing to give Faulkner more, sharing what he brings.

"Good leadership qualities," said Harris. "He gives really good examples of what exactly a team should be. I am not saying Coach (Matt) Canada didn't do that. This is no shot to him. But Coach Faulk just did a really good job being a leader, carrying that leadership mentality, placing it upon everybody, holding people accountable for stuff, good or bad, mistakes or not."

The key now is to not have any letdowns, to keep that identity flowing and to build on what they have been doing. 

"Just keep executing, trusting the game plan, keep going out here and practicing," said Harris. "It starts with the little things. It starts at practice. That is the main thing. Just getting everybody healthy and knowing their roles."

On point: The Steelers offense had their best day of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, putting up 421 yards. 

But there is one thing they know they need more of moving forward.

Points. 

The offense accounted for only seven points in the 16-10 win, the other points all coming from Chris Boswell field goals. 

But it's a step in the right direction for the offense and center Mason Cole is confident the points will come next. 

"You can't force it," said Cole. "It's going to just have to happen. The points will come, and we know that. Luckily our defense has been playing lights out."

Cole had a good feeling about the game with interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner taking over and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan calling the plays. He said it was a smooth transition and while there is still work to be done, there were no major issues. 

"I don't think there was any miscommunication out there," said Cole. "It was all good." 

Cole thought the combination of Faulkner and Sullivan worked well leading into the game, and particularly on game day. 

"They've been fantastic," said Cole. "Sully made an emphasis to get the plays in faster so we would have more time at the line of scrimmage. It felt like we had more time. It felt better."

The key now is going out and doing more of the same this week.  

"There is only one way to prove it, go out on Sunday and do it again," said Cole. "Score more points. We have to put our heads down and work. There is still stuff to clean up, opportunities to be way better. We have a good challenge this week with Arizona and the challenges will continue as the year goes on."

Owning up: Receiver Diontae Johnson has taken some heat lately after a play in the Bengals game. 

But on Wednesday, he said he spoke to his teammates about it and didn't hide from it.

The play happened in the first quarter, on third-and-two from the Bengals 15-yard line, when running back Jaylen Warren fumbled and it appeared Johnson just turned away from the play and the Bengals came away with the ball. 

Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about it during his weekly press conference and he said he would give Johnson an opportunity to address it with his teammates. 

He did just that on Wednesday.

"I addressed the situation to my teammates, and they know how I feel and how I can go about the situation next time," said Johnson. "I own up to it. I am not perfect. All I can do is move forward and play football. It was me owning up to what I did on Sunday to the team and letting them know it won't happen again. I didn't know the play was still going. If I could do it again, I would jump on the ball. 

"Nobody is out there trying to mess up. I am human. I know what I've got to do. I am not perfect. I just want to make plays at the end of the day."

Johnson said that one play isn't something he should be defined by.

"That is not me as a player," said Johnson. "One play doesn't define me. It never will. I didn't come up playing football like that. Obviously, it looks bad on film. From here on out, going forward, just be smart, keep playing until the whistle blows."

Buying in: Diontae Johnson said there was a feeling last week leading into the Bengals game, an energy on the field and elsewhere as they prepared for the game under the guidance of interim offensive coordinator Eddie Faulkner.

"Everybody is just buying in and wanting to win," said Johnson. "The coaches are going to come up with a great game plan. It's the same plays.

"We felt that all week. At practice the energy, locker room and on the field as well. It seemed to carry over to the game.

"We didn't score three touchdowns. That was our main goal."

What the offense was able to do though was put up 421 yards, topping the 400-yard mark for the first time in 59 games.

"I didn't know we had 400 yards. That's great. That's big," said Johnson. "We haven't done that for a while."

Pro Bowl voting is open: Steelers fans, it's time to vote. And make sure you do it early, and often.

For your favorite Steelers players that is.

Voting is now open for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the second year for the new-look games.

The traditional Pro Bowl game has been replaced by days of activities, which will culminate with an AFC vs. NFC Flag Game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, February 4.

Leading into the game there will be fun-filled and unique skill competitions, giving fans a different look at all of the league's top players.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Fans can vote for their favorite Steelers players now through Dec. 25. A social aspect of voting will be available beginning on Dec. 11, so keep an eye out for that.

Cast your votes today.

Click on the links to go to the Steelers page and vote for players below as well.

-->> Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Making moves: The Steelers signed receiver Jacob Copeland to the practice squad today and released defensive back Jalen Elliott.

This is Copeland's second stint on the Steelers practice squad this season. Copeland was signed to the practice squad ahead of the Week 2 game against the Cleveland Browns and released on Oct. 3.

Copeland originally signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. He was released by the Titans, later signing with the Minnesota Vikings during training camp. Copeland was released prior to the start of the regular season.

Copeland played at the University of Maryland in 2022 where he caught 26 passes for 376 yards and two touchdowns. He spent four seasons at the University of Florida where he had 86 receptions for 1,366 yards and nine touchdowns.

Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place. Start your free trial today here.