Friday, October 4

Message is the same: Linebacker T.J. Watt knows the type of game it's going to be on Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, going against an offense that is loaded with weapons at the skill positions.

"Explosive offense," said Watt. "Obviously, CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson, the running back duo and Dak (Prescott), they do a lot of great things. They have a really established offensive line, besides the rookies.

"They can put up points, and put up points in a hurry. So, we have to be able to, like I say every week, stop the run and then go from there."

Prescott has completed 96 passes for 1,072 yards and six touchdowns through four games, and can move around and get out of the pocket if need be.

That is something the defense is going to have to be on alert for.

"He can make every throw that you possibly need to make in the NFL, but he also has a good amount of mobility to get out of the pocket," said Watt. "Definitely looking to throw, but he can run if you need to in those gotta have moments and those zone reads he can still pull it.

"It's going to be a challenge for us."

One of the hot topics for the defense this week is getting off to a faster start after giving up 17 points to the Colts in the first half last week.

And the key is simple.

"Just playing more sound football early on," said Watt. "Tackling and getting as many hats on the ball as we can. Trusting the assignment and all the basic defensive stuff.

"There's nothing mystical about it."

A forever rivalry: Steelers-Cowboys.

NBC's Sunday Night Football.

Does it get any better?

"I feel like it's the history of the teams itself and the fan bases on both sides," said cornerback Joey Porter Jr. "Both teams have great fan bases that are going to show up and show out every time.

"Here's one instance where we got them coming to town and it's going to be it's a great show."

It's a matchup of two storied franchises who want nothing more than to come out on top in front of a national television audience.

"It's the classic matchup," said linebacker T.J. Watt. "It's two historic franchises. I am sure there will be a lot of eyeballs on this game, and deservedly so.

"It's still early in the season, but it has a big game feel to it.

"I assume it's going to be pretty crazy. Looking forward to Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys at home. It should be a packed house."

And while some of the best games played between the two teams took place before many in the Steelers locker room were even born, they still understand the significance of the matchup between the two historic franchises.

"When you look at the two teams, (they were ones) that everybody always went for back in the day," said linebacker Patrick Queen. "It was always the Cowboys and the Steelers.

"Sunday Night Football, the whole world is watching. The moments that everybody lived for growing up.

"You've got the whole world watching, what are you going to do about it?"

Acrisure Stadium will be packed on Sunday night, and that will just be a small sampling of those watching. The national television audience should push ratings through the roof and the black and gold are ready for it.

"It's special," said cornerback Donte Jackson. "Two of the best fan bases in all of sports come together for a primetime game. Definitely big, definitely a lot of tradition.

"You are the only game on, it's primetime. And you're playing against a great opponent like the Cowboys, a balanced offense, really good defense. So, it should be fun."

Safety Damontae Kazee can look at the matchup from both sides, as he played for the Cowboys for a season in 2021 before signing with the Steelers. And he is ready for it.

"It's going to be fun," said Kazee. "To say I came from the Cowboys makes it a little more fun. Great guys over there, good team. It's going to be a great night.

"The rivalry always exists. It's going to stay that way. A lot of eyes watching on Sunday night."

Rookie Beanie Bishop will be playing in his first NFL primetime game and knows it's going to live up to the hype.

"There is only one game on Sunday night," said Bishop. "It's a highlight every week. Having the whole world watching. Everybody is going to be tuned into the game. We have the chance to be the most watched game. It's going to be a huge game.

"These two teams have played each other in Super Bowls, so that rivalry is there. It's two historic football organizations.

"It's going to be great and something for the fans to keep an eye on."

Make it difficult: The Steelers defense might not have faced him often, but they know exactly the challenge they are facing going against Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

"I feel like Dak Prescott is a savvy, vet quarterback that understands the defense," said cornerback Joey Porter Jr. "Our whole job and goal is to get after him and just make it difficult for him."

And how do you make it difficult for a player who has the experience and savvy Prescott has?

"I mean, we have T.J. Watt," said Porter. "Hopefully he gets the job done. I think our front is one of the best in the league. I really have faith in all those guys to make it very difficult for him. And I think that's what they're going to do."

Prescott faced the Steelers in 2016, his rookie season, when he completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8%) for 319 yard and two touchdowns in a 35-20 Cowboys win in Week 10 of that season. He missed the game in 2020, dealing with an ankle injury.

The only active member of the Steelers defense who was on that 2016 team that faced Prescott was Cameron Heyward, who started at left defensive end and he knows the defense has to play their game to slow Prescott down.

"I think Dak's seen every coverage," said Heyward. "It comes back to stopping the run early, making it longer down and distances, allowing our four-man rush to heat up a little bit, and then capitalizing on turnovers.

"If the ball hits the ground and it's a fumble, we've got to be the first guys to pounce on it. When the ball's up in the air and we can pick it off, we've got to get the pick. Versus this team, you can't give them second chances."

Cornerback Donte Jackson has faced Prescott after playing six seasons with the Carolina Panthers, and he has nothing but respect for the Cowboys signal caller.

"He's a great player," said Jackson. "One of the best quarterbacks in this league. He's one of the premier players in this league for a reason. Rarely makes any bad decisions. Very, very good with the ball in his hands. And he knows how to bring his teammates along with him.

"He is everything you want as the leader of a team and a quarterback. He's been that way since he made his first start in the league.

"Definitely one of my favorites to watch when I'm not playing against him."

The Steelers defense might not have faced him often, but they know exactly the challenge they are facing going against Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

"I feel like Dak Prescott is a savvy, vet quarterback that understands the defense," said cornerback Joey Porter Jr. "Our whole job and goal is to get after him and just make it difficult for him."

And how do you make it difficult for a player who has the experience and savvy Prescott has?

"I mean, we have T.J. Watt," said Porter. "Hopefully he gets the job done. I think our front is one of the best in the league. I really have faith in all those guys to make it very difficult for him. And I think that's what they're going to do."

Prescott faced the Steelers in 2016, his rookie season, when he completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8%) for 319 yard and two touchdowns in a 35-20 Cowboys win in Week 10 of that season. He missed the game in 2020, dealing with an ankle injury.

The only active member of the Steelers defense who was on that 2016 team that faced Prescott was Cameron Heyward, who started at left defensive end and he knows the defense has to play their game to slow Prescott down.

"I think Dak's seen every coverage," said Heyward. "It comes back to stopping the run early, making it longer down and distances, allowing our four-man rush to heat up a little bit, and then capitalizing on turnovers.

"If the ball hits the ground and it's a fumble, we've got to be the first guys to pounce on it. When the ball's up in the air and we can pick it off, we've got to get the pick. Versus this team, you can't give them second chances."

Cornerback Donte Jackson has faced Prescott after playing six seasons with the Carolina Panthers, and he has nothing but respect for the Cowboys signal caller.

"He's a great player," said Jackson. "One of the best quarterbacks in this league. He's one of the premier players in this league for a reason. Rarely makes any bad decisions. Very, very good with the ball in his hands. And he knows how to bring his teammates along with him.

"He is everything you want as the leader of a team and a quarterback. He's been that way since he made his first start in the league.

"Definitely one of my favorites to watch when I'm not playing against him."

Comeback catalyst: The Steelers needed a spark before they could get their offense in gear last Sunday in Indianapolis. Tight end Darnell Washington might have provided it.

With 5:03 left in the second quarter, Washington caught a short pass from quarterback Justin Fields on second-and-9 from the Steelers' 46-yard line. The resulting 20-yard gain to the Indianapolis 34 included a stiff-arm and a leap over a defender. The drive ended with a fumble by wide receiver George Pickens and a Colts recovery, but the spectacular nature of Washington's play resonated.

"I think Darnell's play kind of gave us some juice a little bit," quarterback Justin Fields offered. "You know, when he stiff arms the guy and jumped over him, I think that got us going a little bit."

It was a different offense in the second half. Washington's intent wasn't to spark such a transformation. He was merely trying to be impactful, which is always his plan.

"I just try to maximize all my opportunities I get," he said. "I guess that was kinda like the first spark that we had.
"I guess you could say that, yeah."

Washington finished with two catches on two targets for 31 yards in Indy. He's been targeted four times overall this season and has caught all four for 41 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown reception on Sept. 15 in Denver.

The key to earning more such opportunities, Washington maintained, is to continue to prove they're warranted.

"Just keep showcasing it out here in practice," Washington said. "Keep maximizing my plays, the ones that Coach (offensive coordinator Arthur Smith) put in for me and just give him my trust. At the end of the day he has to have trust in you to do your job and your assignment the best that you can for him to call it."

Washington presents an inviting target at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds. But he won't campaign for more such opportunities.

"I've personally never been that type of player," Washington maintained. "I'm just one of those quiet players for the most part. And when you show up on the football field you just gotta bring that 'dawg' mentality, even though I don't really talk much on the field and things like that.

"That's just the type of player I am."

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Thursday, October 3

No added motivation needed: Cameron Heyward watched the tape from Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and while he knows there are some things they need to clean up on defense, he said the loss doesn't give him any added motivation going into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

And the reason is simple.

Playing the Cowboys is motivation enough.

"The motivation is we've got to play the Dallas Cowboys," said Heyward. "I think it speaks for itself. Sunday Night Football. Two pretty good teams. That's enough to be a motivator."

Heyward does know, though, that the defense can't let the Cowboys get out to a big lead like the Colts did, when they went ahead, 17-0, in the first half.

And keeping the Cowboys from making splash plays is vital.

What Heyward saw from the tape lets him know that everything is fixable.

"Not getting off the field when we could, especially on third down," said Heyward. "Not maximizing the turnovers, not stopping the run That's the gist of it all.

"There's a lot to improve on. It's a long season, so we have a chance to adapt from it.

"They got down the field quick, got seven points right away. We were on our heels in the first half and then we quit digging ourselves a hole. But it's a big hole to dig yourself out of it. So, looking for a bounce back."

The effort to bounce back will take place, like Heyward said, in front of a national television audience against the Cowboys, a team the Steelers have a long history with.

The Cowboys lead the series, 17-16, with the Steelers having the edge at home, 8-7. In the postseason, the Steelers are 2-1 against the Cowboys, defeating them in Super Bowl X and Super Bowl XIII.

"A bunch of trophies, a bunch of great players," said Heyward of the two franchises. "You can't talk about the NFL without talking about these two teams. They have their Troy Aikmans, Emmitt Smiths. We have our Joe Greenes, Jack Lamberts, Troy Polamalus. You could go down the list.

"I just know it's one of those games you couldn't ask for a better nighttime performance or a nighttime game than having these two teams be a part of it.

"You can't talk about the Steelers being Super Bowl winners without talking about them going against the Cowboys all the years. And I just think when you look at these teams, it's good football all around. You've got to respect that. You got to be excited to be a part of it.

"It's fun to play with these two teams. It's one of those things you always look forward to no matter if you're on a team (playing) or you're on a different team. This is one of those games you look forward to."

Ball security: Heading into the Colts game, the Steeles were a +4 in turnover ratio, ranked second in the AFC and tied for third overall in the NFL.

Fast forward a week, and that has dropped to +2 in turnover ratio, ranked third in the AFC and tied for sixth in the NFL. The defense has five takeaways, including four interceptions, and the offense gave the ball away just three times, two on fumbles, on the season.

But against the Colts, the defense didn't generate any turnovers, while the offense put the ball on the ground twice.

"The turnover game is a major component of any game," said Tomlin. "I thought it was significant in terms of the outcome of that game. We lost by three points. We turned the ball over inside the 10, we had a sack fumble that pushed us out of field goal range, we dropped an interception in the endzone on defense, we had a ball on the ground in the red zone in defense that we didn't cover, and a few plays later, they punched it in for seven.

"And so, just the point differential alone in the turnover game was really significant in terms of how the game unfolded."

It's still a small sample size just four games into the season, but turnovers can make a major difference in the final outcome of a game.

"Winning the turnover battle is always huge," said guard Spender Anderson. "If you're plus one, plus two, usually you have a good chance of winning the game when it's pretty even as far as turnover battle is concerned.

"If you take care of the ball on offense and take it away on defense, then you always have a good chance of winning. We've seen that happen plenty of times here.

"Turnover battle is huge. If you're a plus on the turnover margin, it's almost always a key to the final result."

Making the list: The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the list of 60 players who have advanced for consideration for the Class of 2025 in the Seniors category, and two former Steelers are among those nominated.

They include defensive lineman L.C. Greenwood and linebacker Andy Russell.

In order to be eligible for the Seniors category, players could not have appeared in an NFL game after the 1999 season.

Each member of the Seniors Screening Committee, a new entity created this year to add additional input around the overall selection process, cast a ballot for 50 individuals from a list of 182 nominees consisting of 100 offensive players, 77 defensive players and five special teamers. All players who tied for the 50th position remain under consideration.

A separate nine-person Seniors Blue-Ribbon Committee will make additional reductions in increments over the next several weeks. In late fall, this committee will select three Seniors as Finalists for possible election with the Class of 2025.

Doing his part: While veteran guard Isaac Seumalo is back at practice, with the potential of playing on Sunday, tackle Dan Moore Jr. is still taking the same approach he did last week when veteran guard James Daniels left the game with an Achilles injury.

He is taking on a leadership role.

Guard Spencer Anderson said it was Moore, who is in his fourth season, who pulled the line together, which at that point consisted of Moore, two second year players in Anderson and Broderick Jones, and two rookies in Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick, and took on the leadership duties.

"It's crazy because I still feel like I'm young," said Moore. "Talk about stepping into a leadership role. I knew that was something I was going to have to do this year. I feel like I've gradually done it the past couple of years with the young guys. So, taking it full-fledged, taking it up a notch and seeing where it goes.

"You always want someone to be a leader on the offensive line specifically, especially with us having the type of offense that we want to have. Definitely looking at myself as that guy. So, if that's the expectation, then I got to supersede that."

Moore said the most important thing is that it did resonate with his teammates, because all he wants to do is be a helping hand.

"It's encouraging for sure," said Moore. "I think it gives me a little bit of confidence stepping into that leadership role that guys can already kind of see me in that in that light. So yeah, just trusting myself and just trying to lead some of the young guys."

Big addition up front: In the wake of losing right guard James Daniels to the Reserve/Injured list on Tuesday, the Steelers welcomed left guard Isaac Seumalo back to practice.

"It's a big boost," rookie guard Mason McCormick insisted. "Obviously, losing James isn't great, feel for him, but getting Isaac back definitely helps with that."

"Just having him as a leader in our room will be good."

Seumalo has yet to make his 2024 debut due to a pectoral injury. McCormick has still been happy to learn from the veteran but will be even happier to see Seumalo in action.

"Isaac's awesome," McCormick continued. "He's super knowledgable, he works extremely hard and I think his intentionality within practice is something that us younger guys can really look at and take something out of his game. He does a terrific job and it's awesome.

"He's always giving us pointers to make things easier for us, different ricks of the trade. It's been awesome but it's obviously gonna be even better having him out there."

Seumalo's "intentionality within practice" is a quality that has resonated in particular with McCormick.

"Just the way that he goes about certain things," McCormick explained. "Even in walk-throughs and what not, his pad level, his footwork speed, his hand placement, all these things are the same every day so he's building that muscle memory."

With Seumalo back and Daniels unavailable, McCormick has been elevated to first-team right guard on the depth chart.

He had made his first career start at left guard last Sunday in Indianapolis, but has no apprehension whatsoever about switching sides this Sunday night against Dallas.

"I've been working right (guard) and left (guard) and center forever," McCormick said. "It's something that I've just always continued to grow in.

"I'm not really that worried about it. I did it a lot in (training) camp so I'll be ready for all three interior positions, whatever happens, and I'll be ready to roll."

So will an offensive line, McCormick maintained, that's trending toward rolling out its third different starting fivesome in five games.

"I feel like in camp everybody's ready for whatever's thrown at us," he said. "We're always moving guys around and doing different things to build that camaraderie because within this game injuries are a part of it. We want to be ready for whatever's thrown at us and I feel like we will be."

-- blog entry by Mike Prisuta

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Wednesday, October 2

Looking for a fast start: Coach Mike Tomlin made no secret about it when talking about Sunday's loss to the Colts.

The team must start faster on both sides of the ball.

The Colts got off to a 17-0 lead before the Steelers put points on the board, and he wants to see that change.

"I didn't like the slow start on defense," said Tomlin. "We put the defense on the field for a reason, to set a tone, to quell the environment. Oftentimes, it's difficult for offensive units to function at the early stages of a game in a hostile environment and things of that nature. That's why you put the defense on the grass.

"We didn't get the job done from that perspective. If anything, we just intensified the environmental component of the matchup, and so we've got to do a better job there. We can't warm up to the action. It really hadn't been us, but it was us defensively last weekend, and so I'm excited about getting that group out and in the stadium again.

"That's a responsibility that I expect them to embrace. We've got a lot of veteran players, and whether they're new to us or not, we've got a lot of veteran players on that unit that understand the importance of that, and so looking forward to giving them another opportunity to manage that component of it."

That opportunity will come on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Dak Prescott. And it's an opportunity they will be prepared for.

"That's been the message since day one," said linebacker Patrick Queen of starting fast. "We always knew that. And this season, we haven't been doing that unfortunately. We've been having a sense of urgency. We've been practicing good. It's just us doing it in the game, not warming up to it. Practice-wise we've been coming out strong, doing what we've got to do. Trying to start fast in practice so when we get to the game, we just do it. So, we just got a sense of urgency doing it again this week.

"We've just got to do our job, man up. Know the assignment. It's really a simple game. We've just got to all lock in, have that sense of urgency and do what we do. Nobody needs to go out there and be Superman. We've just got to all do our job and do it to the best of our ability."

Tomlin said he won't stop searching for ways to improve execution early in games, and a lot of that comes during the week of preparation.

"We're just going to keep practicing," said Tomlin. "I imagine we're not the only ones who have issues with that, particularly if three out of your first four games have been in hostile environments. And so, we're not going to change our approach. Sometimes I acknowledge an issue, but acknowledgement of an issue doesn't mean that we need to be a moving target in terms of how we address it.

"Sometimes it's just more of the same, and maybe more urgency associated with the same in terms of our work."

It's not just on the defense to start fast. The offense also has emphasized that, and while it wasn't the case against the Colts, they are seeking to get it done against the Cowboys.

"I know that was a big emphasis for us, starting off faster," said guard Spencer Anderson. "Honestly, it's just executing. Going out there the first couple plays, knocking the dust down and adjusting to what's going on.

"But like Coach T says, we're not afforded an opportunity to warm up to it in the National Football League. I think we have to do a better job collectively as a team to get on the right track as far as getting off to a better start, because obviously we've seen how we finished the past couple of weeks and I feel like if we complement that with our start, we'll have what we want."

All aboard: Newly signed offensive guard Max Scharping is doing what Coach Mike Tomlin often calls 'getting on a moving train,' and the six-year veteran is hoping it doesn't take long to get the engine going.

Scharping was signed on Tuesday off the Washington Commanders practice squad with the injury to James Daniels, and he was quickly getting up to speed with his teammates and the offense over the last 24 hours.

"It's a blessing," said Scharping. "Any time you can be on a team like this, especially knowing the history and the success, it's always a blessing. Historic franchise. Tough gritty football team, that's the identity of who they are and it's not going to change. I'm very excited to be a part of that.

"Now it's really get onboarded as quickly as possible. Learn the offense as quickly as possible and then just get to know the guys. Obviously, as an offensive lineman, trust is pretty key when you're working with four other guys. So just trying to get on the same page with everybody and try to work as seamlessly as possible."

Scharping has already looked at the offense, learning as much as he can in a very short window.

"Obviously, Arthur Smith is new, but I played against him when he was in Tennessee," said Scharping. "I think it's a good offense. The skill players are unbelievable. I think there's a lot of talent all around. The offensive line obviously is a little bit beat up, that's why I'm here. But everything that I've seen so far, everyone's on the same page. Everyone's trying to do the right thing and that's the most important thing."

To the Moon and back: Linebacker Jeremiah Moon was back on the practice field on Wednesday and the timing couldn't be better.

Moon returned to practice but remains on the Reserve/Injured List. The Steelers have a 21-day window to either activate him to the 53-man roster, or he remains on the Reserve/Injured List the remainder of the year.

With outside linebacker Alex Highsmith dealing with a groin injury and missing time, and Nick Herbig now dealing with an ankle injury that could limit him in practice this week, having Moon back for the first time since Week 2 of the preseason is ideal.

Moon was placed on the Reserve/Injured (Designated for Return) List before the start of the regular season.

"It's been a long road dealing with a few injuries," said Moon. "I'm definitely grateful and working my tail off to get back, so today is the day.

"I've been doing everything, working with the trainers, eating right, staying engaged. It's been a while. I'm just grateful that my body is now recovered and everything.

"I'm ready to get back."

The Steelers claimed Moon off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2023 season. Moon originally signed with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft.
Moon spent his rookie season on the Ravens practice squad. In 2023, he spent time on the active roster and the practice squad, seeing playing time in eight games, with one start. He finished the 2023 season with 10 tackles, four of them solo stops, and a tackle for a loss. He added two special teams tackles and a forced fumble.

Now he wants to get on the field and show what he adds to the defense.

"I can bring a variety of things," said Moon. "I feel like I can set the edge, rush the passer, drop in coverage, and be on (specials) teams.

"Whatever the team needs me to do, that's what I'm here for."

Holding it together: The Steelers offensive line went into the 2024 season with a strong mix of veteran leadership and youth.

Now, in the fifth week of the season, that mix has changed because of injuries.

The line quickly became a very young group when they lost James Daniels against the Colts to an Achilles injury that landed him on the Reserve/Injured List, leaving Dan Moore Jr., who is in his fourth season, as the veteran on the line, with two rookies in Mason McCormick and Zach Frazier, and two second year players in Broderick Jones and Spencer Anderson, out there with him.

While there is potential for the line to get nine-year veteran Isaac Seumalo back this week from his pectoral injury, and the team signed six-year veteran Max Scharping, youth still could be in play Sunday against the Cowboys.

And Anderson knows they must be ready.

"It's just being on the same page," said Anderson. "Sometimes defenders line up differently on certain people you have to come in and saying to one another, 'Hey, I saw this from number so and so, or I saw that from number so and so.' Just be alert to it and things like that, because at the end of the day it's all football.

"Obviously, guys are more talented, faster and physical at this level, but we're all on the same playing field as far as talent and size and speed. You just have to communicate. Overcommunicate I would say would be the biggest thing. Take every coaching point that's given to you. The coaches have been doing it longer than we have, so just listen to them and get any tidbits we can."

Anderson said it hit him when Daniels was injured how young the group that was left standing was, and he knew they had to answer.

"Dan made a point of saying this is on us now," said Anderson. "We took pride in the second half. It was on us, and we had to take ownership as an offensive line and try and get the job done. You just have to own up to it.

"We're paid to do a certain thing and we're in this business for a reason and you have to produce."

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Monday, September 30

Next man up rings strong: The Steelers offensive line has had their share of injuries early in the season, and the news isn't getting any better.

The team already has Troy Fautanu, Nate Herbig and Dylan Cook on the Reserve/Injured List, and Isaac Seumalo missed the first four games with a pectoral injury.

Now add guard James Daniels to the list of offensive linemen dealing with an injury. Daniels left Sunday's game against the Colts, and while there is no official word on his status or the extent of the injury from Coach Mike Tomlin yet, fellow guard Spencer Anderson feels for him.

"Obviously, that's devastating news to hear. We knew about it on the sideline already, so we tried to go out there and get the win for him, but came up short," said Anderson. "But as far as moving on, it's the next man up. We have to move on from it. Obviously, it hurts us from a veteran standpoint, given that Isaac and Dan are now the only vets in the room. But we have to grow up fast and be ready whenever our numbers called."

It was Anderson who had his number called when Daniels went down. The plan going into Sunday's game was for rookie Mason McCormick to start at left guard in Seumalo's spot, with Anderson rotating in. Once Daniels went down, Anderson moved into the right guard spot, a position where he lacks experience but felt immediate comfort.

"Somebody asked me (Sunday) how many reps at right guard I had taken before that game," said Anderson. "I don't think I took any really other than camp. I feel more comfortable there. Even Isaac came up to me and said, 'You like right better.' He said you look more comfortable there.

"I thought it was pretty good. I had to adjust on the fly because when James went down, somebody had to fill in,"

Seumalo's status is up in the air heading into Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys at Acrisure Stadium, something that will likely become much clearer as the week progresses. He was limited in practice all week and downgraded to out on Saturday before the Colts game.

Anderson doesn't know what to expect this week.

"I don't know. I haven't talked to (Isaac)," said Anderson. "I don't know what his availability is, but either way it goes, I've still got to be ready whether he's playing or not.

"I didn't think I was going to be playing right guard. I thought I was going to be in the left guard rotation. But with James going down, I just had to be light on my feet and ready to go."

No matter who is out there on Sunday, there is one thing Anderson knows. The five out there will work.

"The five of us out there are going to get the job done," said Anderson. "We've just got to grow up and do our jobs. Injuries are unfortunate and it's obviously a part of this business, so you just got to keep moving forward.

"Football is a game of attrition. Whoever is the healthiest is going to go out there and produce. You've got to look at it not as adversity, but as an opportunity. And you have to capitalize on every opportunity you get."

The Steelers went into Sunday's game with numbers on their side, the NFL's No. 1 defense through the first three weeks of the season.

But the Indianapolis Colts were able to jump out to a fast 17-0 lead, eventually defeating the Steelers, 27-24. The 27 points allowed were more than what the defense allowed in the first three games combined, when they gave up just 26 total points.

Cornerback Donte Jackson said he was surprised by it, seeing how prepared they felt coming into the game.

But he also knows the preparation was just as strong and meticulous on the other side of the ball.

"We were a prepared group," said Jackson. "We were ready for the challenge, the opportunity. A slow start, it happens. We're not going to lean too much on it.

"But yeah, we were definitely surprised. I'm sure a lot of guys would say that. But it's the NFL. Those guys get paid too. Those guys prepare too. You have to respect that part of the game."

The Colts hurt the defense in an area where they take a lot of pride, third down conversions. The Colts were 8-of-15 on third down, 53.3%, while converting multiple third and long opportunities.

Jackson said they hadn't had a chance to look at the film before he spoke, but it was something they would definitely be focused on.

"We haven't really watched it together yet with the coaches," said Jackson. "But we'll see. I'm sure there's things that we can fix easily. We got a lot of things fixed at halftime.

"Just can't start slow. This is the NFL. These guys prepared too. These guys watch film just like we do. That's part of the game you respect You just have to get to work."

Getting to work this week will be preparing for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium, with weapons like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, just to name a few.

"I feel good about it," said Jackson. "We have a good defense. We just have to come in, put the work in this week, and prepare ourselves for a really good offense who has played a lot of ball together.

"That's the main focus. Getting back to work and focusing on us."

Jackson has some experience going against Prescott, facing him when he played for the Carolina Panthers.

He knows what Prescott brings to the table.

"He's a great player," said Jackson. "One of the best quarterbacks in this league. This is a great opportunity for us, for the defense, for this team to go out there and go against a team like that."

And as far as Lamb goes, Jackson has nothing but respect for his game.

"He is definitely a great player," said Jackson. "One of my favorite players to watch on the offensive side of the ball. Production through the roof. Skills through the roof. He's everything. He has everything.

"He means a lot to that offense. He means a lot to that team. Nothing but respect for CeeDee."

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