Joe Rutter stories, Page 13

It took seven games before Joey Porter Jr. made his first start at cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Once he got in the lineup, however, nobody could keep him out. Porter has started the past 10 games heading into the season finale Saturday at Baltimore. His accomplishments in those games...

With his play the past two weeks, Mason Rudolph has put himself in position to earn a measure of job security next season when he hits free agency for the second time in his NFL career. Rudolph isn’t looking that far ahead. Not with the Pittsburgh Steelers trying to secure...

Saying he felt like his character was attacked, Kenny Pickett strongly denied accusations that he refused to be the backup quarterback behind starter Mason Rudolph on Sunday in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 30-23 victory at Seattle. Pickett addressed the allegations Tuesday morning before practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “There was...

Five things we learned from Steelers 30, Seahawks 23: 1. Big-play Mason Further evidence of the offense flourishing under Mason Rudolph’s guidance came in the form of the veteran backup throwing five completions that gained at least 24 yards. To no surprise, three of those passes were thrown to George...

SEATTLE – The Pittsburgh Steelers will get the first crack next weekend at determining their potential playoff fate. The NFL, which did not determine the dates/times of Week 18 games until Sunday night, has slotted the Steelers game at the Baltimore Ravens for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday. The game...

SEATTLE — Only once in Mike Tomlin’s 17 seasons as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach has his team entered the final weekend mathematically eliminated from the postseason. That accomplishment will remain intact this year thanks to the Steelers’ 30-23 victory against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. With one game remaining...

SEATTLE – Playing with a sense of urgency that was lacking earlier in the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers found their formula for success Sunday afternoon at Lumen Field. Behind the second impressive start in a row from quarterback Mason Rudolph and a dominant running game, the Steelers outpaced the Seattle...

SEATTLE — Kenny Pickett’s recovery from ankle surgery wasn’t quick enough for him to get a helmet Sunday. Coach Mike Tomlin declared Pickett inactive for the Steelers’ game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Pickett was questionable following the final practice of the week Friday. By ruling Pickett out...

The last time the Pittsburgh Steelers won a game in Seattle, they did so with a quarterback who was making his ninth career start in his seventh year in the organization. So maybe history will be on the Steelers’ side Sunday when they turn to Mason Rudolph to keep their...

In first two months as an NFL starting cornerback, Pittsburgh Steelers rookie Joey Porter Jr. has been paired against some of the league’s top wide receivers. And he has managed to shut down or limit pass catchers such as DeAndre Hopkins, Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper and Tee Higgins. His biggest...

Since taking over play-calling duties for the Pittsburgh Steelers in November, Mike Sullivan has found himself calling upon his experience in the U.S. Army when facing trying circumstances. In five games since replacing Matt Canada in that role, Sullivan has needed to prepare each of his three quarterbacks to make...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,”...