Joe Rutter stories, Page 67
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin embraces urgency vs. Bengals
After watching Devin Bush struggle defending the pass and run in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 41-37 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, coach Mike Tomlin said the play of the former No. 10 overall pick has been “spotty at times” this season. “It hasn’t been at the level of consistency that...
No storybook ending for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in his return from covid list
Author of the third-most fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives in NFL history, Ben Roethlisberger looked like he would add to his total Sunday night. And it would have come in spectacular fashion, considering the 39-year-old Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback missed the previous game and an entire week of practice after testing...
Steelers stage wild comeback, but Chargers pull out thriller
INGELWOOD, Calif. – The Pittsburgh Steelers nearly penned a comeback script Sunday night that even Hollywood would deem too improbable to green light. The Steelers rallied from a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter and held a three-point lead before a defense that was missing three starters fell apart one...
Injuries, covid leave Steelers thin on defense in game vs. Chargers
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Without cornerback Joe Haden, free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and outside linebacker T.J. Watt, the Pittsburgh Steelers fielded a patchwork defense Sunday night at SoFi Stadium against the Los Angeles Chargers. Haden missed his second game of the year because of a foot injury. Fitzpatrick is on the...
Steelers to activate QB Ben Roethlisberger from reserve/covid list to start against Chargers
Ben Roethlisberger will be activated from the reserve/covid list Saturday with the “expectation” of starting Sunday night for the Pittsburgh Steelers in their prime-time game at the Los Angeles Chargers. Team spokesman Burt Lauten made the announcement Saturday morning before the Steelers boarded their charter flight to California. Lauten said...
Mike Vick, Duck Hodges led Steelers to memorable road wins against Chargers
Mike Tomlin spent the week preparing his backup quarterback to start a road game against the Chargers. He has some experience on the subject. The past two trips to southern California — first, San Diego and then Los Angeles — featured the Pittsburgh Steelers playing without their starting quarterback against...
Mason Rudolph playing waiting game to see whether he will start for Steelers vs. Chargers
Like Steelers Nation, Mason Rudolph is curious to know whether he will make a second consecutive start at quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. That decision will be dictated by science. And like the team’s rabid fan base, Rudolph has no inside information regarding the health of starter...
Najee Harris’ workload for Steelers approaching record-setting levels
When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Najee Harris in the first round, it was done to help achieve Art Rooney II’s directive of running the ball more efficiently and effectively. Harris has held up his end — the Steelers have improved from No. 32 to 26 in rushing — but the...
Steelers planning to break in new safety partner for Terrell Edmunds against Chargers
Since Minkah Fitzpatrick joined the Pittsburgh Steelers early in the 2019 season, Terrell Edmunds could count on him lining up at free safety for every game. He learned Fitzpatrick’s tendencies and developed a rapport with the two-time All-Pro selection. “When you’re together like that, each year we’ve gotten more and...
Mike Tomlin readying Steelers to play without Ben Roethlisberger, Minkah Fitzpatrick vs. Chargers
Until last weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers were the only NFL organization not to have a team member added to the reserve/covid list. After two top players tested positive within a three-day span, the Steelers could be short-handed on each side of the ball when they play at the Los Angeles...
Mike Tomlin will ‘leave the light on’ for T.J. Watt to play for Steelers against Chargers
Mike Tomlin already has played one game this season — and parts of two others — without All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt creating havoc for opposing offenses. With the Pittsburgh Steelers losing four players to injury in a 16-16 tie against the Detroit Lions, Tomlin is hoping Watt will be...
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin preparing to start Mason Rudolph at QB in Week 11 game with ChargersVideo
Mike Tomlin is proceeding with the plan that Mason Rudolph will make his second consecutive start for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they play at the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. He’s also “leaving the light on” for Ben Roethlisberger to return from the reserve/covid list and for All-Pro outside...
Steelers’ Minkah Fitzpatrick tests positive for covid, MRIs on T.J. Watt injuries negative
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick became the second Pittsburgh Steelers player to be placed on the reserve/covid list. Fitzpatrick was placed on the list Monday after testing positive. The diagnosis could keep him from playing Sunday night at the Los Angeles Chargers. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger tested positive Saturday and was placed on...
5 things: Tie could hurt Steelers as they prepare for loaded 2nd half of schedule
Five things we learned from Lions 16, Steelers 16: 1. Fit to be tied This wasn’t the type of tie the Steelers had in mind when they stepped onto the grass at Heinz Field on Sunday. They were looking to get a share of first place in the AFC North...
Mike Wagner proud to take turn in spotlight as Steelers’ Hall of Honor member
Mike Wagner has four Super Bowl rings to show for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s. This weekend, the former safety received another piece of hardware that is just as meaningful. Wagner was one of nine former players, comprising the Class of 2020 and 2021, to be...
Mike Tomlin: Mason Rudolph ‘gave us a chance to win’ in 1st start of the season for Steelers
Mason Rudolph got most of the snaps with the first-team offense in practice, so he was prepared to play when coach Mike Tomlin called Saturday night and said he would be starting Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Rudolph was pressed into duty for the Pittsburgh Steelers when starter Ben Roethlisberger...
Steelers bumble way to tie against winless Lions
The scoreboard didn’t reflect a loss Sunday afternoon for the Pittsburgh Steelers. It just felt that way after they played the NFL’s only winless team and still couldn’t extend their winning streak to five games. On a cold, damp day at Heinz Field, the Steelers played a game that was...
Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger out vs. Lions, on covid list
Ben Roethlisberger will be placed on the reserve/covid list and will not play Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field. The Steelers made the announcement Saturday night. Mason Rudolph will make his first start of the season at quarterback in place of Roethlisberger, and Dwayne...
Holding aside, Pressley Harvin III seeks more consistency as Steelers punter
What Pressley Harvin III has done with his right foot at the midpoint of his rookie season indicates he is among the bottom third of NFL punters. The Pittsburgh Steelers, though, place a value on what Harvin can do with his hands, and it is in that job as a...
Najee Harris added to injury report; Ben Roethlisberger, Chase Claypool don’t practice
Facing a short week of preparation after playing Monday night, the Pittsburgh Steelers had their first bona fide practice Thursday, and the session didn’t include quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Chase Claypool. Roethlisberger did not participate because of a shoulder injury that cropped up on the injury report last...
Steelers sign experienced DE-OLB Jacob Tuioti-Mariner to practice squad
A day after being released by the Atlanta Falcons, outside linebacker Jacob Tuioti-Mariner was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to their practice squad. Tuioti-Mariner is an intriguing depth addition, considering that he played in six games for the Falcons this season and contributed two sacks while playing 18% of Atlanta’s...
It’s an odd-numbered game for Lions, so Steelers expect to get best shot Sunday
Defensive coordinator Keith Butler has noticed a trend in the Detroit Lions’ games this season that has him concerned when the Pittsburgh Steelers face the NFL’s only winless team Sunday at Heinz Field. “They have played well, then had an off day, played well and had an off day,” Butler...
Alex Highsmith ‘critical’ of his play at outside linebacker for Steelers
When the Pittsburgh Steelers faced the Seattle Seahawks last month before heading into their bye, the game had the makings of a breakthrough performance for Alex Highsmith. The second-year outside linebacker contributed 1 1/2 sacks, two tackles for loss, four quarterback hits and seven tackles in the Steelers’ 23-20 overtime...
Louis Lipps declines invitation to Steelers’ Hall of Honor ceremony following DUI arrest
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Louis Lipps Jr., who was charged with driving under the influence last weekend, will not attend his Hall of Honor induction this weekend at Heinz Field. Lipps, 59, is among the 2021 class that will be inducted Saturday night and honored during the Steelers’ game...
Steelers notebook: Mike Tomlin says team won’t take Lions lightly
The winless Detroit Lions are all that separates the Pittsburgh Steelers from the rugged second half of their schedule. The Lions are 0-8 heading into their matchup with the Steelers (5-3) on Sunday at Heinz Field. While the teams are heading in opposite directions — the Steelers have won four...

