Joe Rutter stories, Page 16

When talking publicly about his young Pittsburgh Steelers players, particularly rookies, coach Mike Tomlin isn’t prone to hyperbole. He would rather root for the New England Patriots than offer effusive praise. So when Tomlin gushed this week about the play of rookie defensive tackle Keeanu Benton in the Steelers’ 23-19...

Contrary to what the statistics suggest, the tight end remains a viable part of the Pittsburgh Steelers passing game. It just hasn’t looked that way without Pat Freiermuth in the lineup. With Freiermuth potentially returning from injured reserve Sunday in Cleveland, the Steelers will have all of their offensive playmaking...

Elandon Roberts was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency because of his proficiency at stopping the run. After significant injuries to Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander in back-to-back games, the Steelers will see how capable Roberts is at defending the pass when given a full week of preparation....

Mike Tomlin is looking to see more progress from quarterback Kenny Pickett in the second half of the season. Pickett hasn’t thrown an interception in his past five starts, but he also has tossed just two touchdown passes in that span. He also ranks near the bottom of the NFL...

Since being signed to the practice squad two weeks ago, linebacker Mykal Walker has been trying grasp the Pittsburgh Steelers playbook. Whether he’s ready or not, his knowledge of the scheme could be tested in a game setting. Walker is a candidate to be signed to the 53-man roster in...

After concluding a three-game home stretch Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers began looking ahead to a tour of Ohio that awaits at a crucial juncture of their schedule. “AFC North football, here we come,” defensive captain Cameron Heyward said after the Steelers’ 23-19 victory against the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers...

Mike Tomlin didn’t audibly exhale when he sat down for his postgame news conference Sunday afternoon. Nobody would have blamed him if he had. “All right,” Tomlin said, easing into his seat, “that was easy.” Tomlin flashed a knowing smile, realizing nothing has been that way for the Pittsburgh Steelers...

Watching the way Joey Porter Jr. shadowed Tennessee Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins last Thursday night brought back fond memories for veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson. A dozen years earlier, he was in the same position, a highly touted rookie cornerback assigned to cover an experienced wide receiver. Peterson remembers his assignment...

When Matt Canada worked from the sideline Thursday night as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, he wasn’t totally unfamiliar with the experience at Acrisure Stadium. In 2020, his first year with the organization, he spent every game on the sideline as the Steelers quarterbacks coach. And he worked from the sideline...

George Pickens was in a state of denial Wednesday afternoon. He denied being upset with the dwindling number of targets he has received the past two games. He denied briefly removing references to the Pittsburgh Steelers from his Instagram page because of any dissatisfaction with his employer. He also denied...

George Pickens’ frustrations over his lack of targets in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ passing game is a minor irritant to coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin said Tuesday that Pickens’ displeasure is a “non-issue” as the Steelers prepare to play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. “I know it’s a...

When the Pittsburgh Steelers began Week 9 by beating the Tennessee Titans, they were setting the tone for what was to come in the AFC North over the weekend. The way the division’s teams have played this season, it should have come as no surprise that the Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland...

When it comes to pre-game introductions, the Pittsburgh Steelers like to take an inclusive mentality. Which is why more than 11 players have their name announced over the public address system at Acrisure Stadium. Such is the belief in their veteran inside linebackers that Cole Holcomb, Elandon Roberts and Kwon...

Five things we learned from Steelers 20, Titans 16: 1. One man gang Diontae Johnson’s touchdown catch with 4 minutes, 2 seconds remaining continued his run of strong performances since he was activated from injured reserve when the Steelers returned from their bye to face Los Angeles. It’s a nice...

A game that had an uncharacteristic fast start for the Pittsburgh Steelers featured another of Kenny Pickett’s signature fourth-quarter finishes. With offensive coordinator Matt Canada calling plays from the sideline for the first time, Pickett helped pull out a 20-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans when he threw a go-ahead...

Activated from injured reserve Wednesday, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers starting lineup Thursday night for their game against the Tennessee Titans. Heyward hadn’t played since the season opener when he suffered a groin injury in the first half. He missed six games after the injury required...

Two of the top quarterback prospects from the 2022 NFL Draft will meet up Thursday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium. Only one is expected to play a significant role on the field, however. While Kenny Pickett has become the starter for the Steelers,...

With just one week of game tape available, the Pittsburgh Steelers have little information to dissect on Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis. After throwing four touchdown passes in his debut, Levis will make his second career start — each coming in a five-day window — when the Steelers host...

In Kenny Pickett’s mind, there is no question who will start at quarterback Thursday night for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite missing the second half of Sunday’s game with a rib injury, Pickett said he will be under center when the Steelers face the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium. “I’m playing...

Levi Wallace already lost his starting job at left outside cornerback to rookie Joey Porter Jr. The question heading into the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game Thursday night is whether Wallace will be healthy enough to play as a backup. It continues to be an unlikely proposition. Wallace was limited in practice...

At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, running back Jaylen Warren realizes he is at a significant size disadvantage when trying to block hard-charging pass rushers. That is part of his job description, however, as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ third-down specialist, and he takes pride in his blocking ability. It’s getting costly, though....

In Kenny Pickett’s mind, there is no question who will start at quarterback Thursday night for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Despite missing the second half of the Steelers’ game Sunday with a rib injury, Pickett said he will be under center when the Steelers face the Tennessee Titans at Acrisure Stadium....