The Browns have 3 starters out today. Here is their complete list:
QB Alex Tanney, CB Joe Haden (hip pointer), LG Jason Pinkston (concussion), RG Shawn Lauvao (thigh contusion), TE Andre Smith (strained calf), DE John Hughes (sprained knee) and NT Phil Taylor (concussion).
The Steelers offense will want to capitalize on the absences of Haden, Hughes and Taylor. I expect another big game for Le’Veon Bell.
The following Steelers are inactive for today’s game:
QB Landry Jones, CB Isaiah Green, ILB Terence Garvin, DE Brian Arnfelt, NT Hebron Fangupo, OLB Jason Worilds, and C/G Chris Snow. Worilds was listed as questionable on the injury report, due to his abdominal injury. Expect to see Carter to start, and Sylvester to sub in.
Emmanuel Sanders is active today, as is Derek Moye.
The NFL announced the rosters for the 2014 pro bowl today, and both Antonio Brown and Troy Polamalu were selected. Brown was selected both as a wide receiver, and as a punt returner. This is the 2nd pro bowl nomination for Brown, and the 8th for Polamalu. This year, the pro bowl is unconferenced, and the selections are made based on votes from fans, players, and coaches.
Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders will serve as team captains to the two pro bowl teams, and players will be drafted to each team during a live draft, that will be televised on the NFL network on January 22, 2014. The 2014 Pro Bowl will broadcast live on NBC at 7 p.m on January 26, 2014 from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Notable snubs: Ben Roethlisberger, David DeCastro. The Steelers had two players selected and the 4-11 Browns get five players selected. Go figure. Maybe there’s a pro bowl version of ‘vote for the worst’.
Here’s the complete list:
Offense
Quarterback: Tom Brady, Patriots; Drew Brees, Saints; Peyton Manning, Broncos; Cam Newton, Panthers; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Russell Wilson, Seahawks.
Wide receiver: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dez Bryant, Cowboys; Josh Gordon, Browns; A.J. Green, Bengals; Andre Johnson, Texans; Calvin Johnson, Lions; Brandon Marshall, Bears; Demaryius Thomas, Broncos.
Tackle: Branden Albert, Chiefs; Jason Peters, Eagles; Tyron Smith, Cowboys; Joe Staley, 49ers; Joe Thomas, Browns; Trent Williams, Redskins.
Guard: Jahri Evans, Saints; Ben Grubbs, Saints; Mike Iupati, 49ers; Logan Mankins, Patriots; Louis Vasquez, Broncos; Marshal Yanda, Ravens.
Center: Ryan Kalil, Panthers; Alex Mack, Browns; Mike Pouncey, Dolphins; Max Unger, Seahawks.
Tight end: Jordan Cameron, Browns; Vernon Davis, 49ers; Jimmy Graham, Saints; Julius Thomas, Broncos.
Running back: Jamaal Charles, Chiefs; Matt Forte, Bears; Frank Gore, 49ers; Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks; LeSean McCoy, Eagles; Adrian Peterson, Vikings.
Fullback: Marcel Reece, Raiders; Mike Tolbert, Panthers.
Defense
Defensive end: Greg Hardy, Panthers; Cameron Jordan, Saints; Robert Quinn, Rams; Cameron Wake, Dolphins; J.J. Watt, Texans; Mario Williams, Bills.
Interior lineman: Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers; Haloti Ngata, Ravens; Dontari Poe, Chiefs; Justin Smith, 49ers; Ndamukong Suh, Lions; Kyle Williams, Bills.
Outside linebacker: John Abraham, Cardinals; Ahmad Brooks, 49ers; Tamba Hali, Chiefs; Justin Houston, Chiefs; Robert Mathis, Colts; Terrell Suggs, Ravens.
Inside/middle linebacker: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers; Vontaze Burfict, Bengals; Luke Kuechly, Panthers; Patrick Willis, 49ers.
Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, Chiefs; Brent Grimes, Dolphins; Joe Haden, Browns; Patrick Peterson, Cardinals; Darrelle Revis, Buccaneers; Richard Sherman, Seahawks; Aqib Talib, Patriots; Alterraun Verner, Titans.
Free safety: Jairus Byrd, Bills; Earl Thomas, Seahawks; Eric Weddle, Chargers.
Strong safety: Eric Berry, Chiefs; Kam Chancellor, Seahawks; Troy Polamalu, Steelers.
Special Teams
Punter: Brandon Fields, Dolphins; Johnny Hekker, Rams.
Placekicker: Matt Prater, Broncos; Justin Tucker, Ravens.
Punt returner: Antonio Brown, Steelers; Dexter McCluster, Chiefs.
Special teamer: Justin Bethel, Cardinals; Matthew Slater, Patriots.
The NFL has fined TE Matt Spaeth $7,875.00 for unnecessary roughness. Spaeth was penalized after the play in question against Green Bay, which happened in the last minute of the 3rd quarter. After AJ Hawk intercepted a pass from Ben Roethlisberger, Spaeth blocked Jamari Lattimore, which drew the flag. You can see a gif of the block below.
The Steelers injury report is out for the Browns game, and it looks pretty good. Terence Garvin (knee) is the only player who is ruled out for the Steelers. Both Emmanuel Sanders (knee) and Jason Worilds (abdomen) are labeled as questionable. David DeCastro (back), Jarvis Jones (illness), Brett Keisel (foot) , Heath Miller (non-injury), Troy Polamalu (non-injury), and Markus Wheaton (finger).
Sanders spoke with media today regarding his status and said, “Right now I’m 50-50. We’re going to call it a game-time decision.” He went on to say that he’ll try to play through the pain if it won’t make the injury any worse.
When asked about his back, David DeCastro said, “I’m good to go. My back’s fine.”
For the Browns:
OG Jason Pinkston (concussion), TE Andre Smith (strained calf) and NT Phil Taylor (concussion) are all Out.
DE John Hughes (knee, elbow) is Doubtful
TE Jordan Cameron (concussion), cornerback Joe Haden (hip pointer), guard John Greco (sprained knee) and guard Shawn Lauvao (thigh contusion) are listed as Questionable.
LB Paul Kruger (illness), S Jordan Poyer (toe), OT Joe Thomas (back), LB Tank Carder (shoulder), P Spencer Lanning (left knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), OT Mitchell Schwartz (toe) and S T.J. Ward (shoulder, illness) are all listed as Probable.
The Steelers host the Browns at Heinz field this Sunday at 1:00 pm. Spero Dedes and Steve Beuerlein are the commentators for the game.
The Steelers need some help from the Jets, Bengals, and Chiefs this Sunday to land a playoff berth, but most importantly, they need to take care of business at home in front of a relatively small TV audience. You can see if your local CBS affiliate is broadcasting the game on the map below.
H/T the506.com
Red- Ravens @ Bengals
Blue- Bills @ Dolphins
Green- Steelers vs. Browns
Yellow- Jaguars @ Colts
Purple- Texans @ Titans
Grey- No game
The following Steelers did not practice today:
Jason Worilds (abdomen), Emmanuel Sanders (knee), Terence Garvin (knee) and David DeCastro (back). DeCastro was characterized as “limited” yesterday due to his back. Although the team didn’t actually practice, they provided an estimation of his availability.
Brett Keisel (foot), Markus Wheaton (finger), Jarvis Jones (illness), Heath Miller (non-injury), Troy Polamalu (non-injury) were all full participants today.
Antonio Brown has been voted the 2013 MVP by his teammates today for the second time in three seasons.
Brown took the podium to address the media for about a minute regarding the award sayin, “It means everything. Anytime you’re voted on by your peers, you’re thankful. It’s something I appreciate.”
https://twitter.com/DVEMike/status/416256969419153408
Brown is third in receiving yards behind Josh Gordon and Calvin Johnson with 1411. He only needs 12 more catches to break Hines Ward’s single season receiving record of 112 from 2002.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America have awarded Le’Veon Bell the Joe Greene Great Performance Award. The ever humble running back told Pittsburgh media, “It’s crazy to even think about mentioning me in the same sentence as Joe Greene.” Bell went on to say, “I’m nowhere near where I want to be.” Bell is just 73 yards shy of Franco’s rookie record of 1,235 yards from scrimmage.
The last four Joe Greene Great Performance Award winners were:
2009 WR Mike Wallace
2010 C Maurkice Pouncey
2011 OT Marcus Gilbert
2012 OT Mike Adams
Emmanuel Sanders told the local media today that he had a MRI on his injured knee, and that the news was good. Coach Tomlin reported yesterday that Sanders had a lateral meniscus sprain. Sanders said he didn’t do much at practice today, but he’s hopeful he can play on Sunday. The biggest obstacle will be regaining the strength in his knee to make necessary cuts. If Sanders isn’t available on Sunday, then I expect Derek Moye to get a helmet, which should make many a Steelers fan happy