Mike Tomlin

Jarvis Jones And Ryan Shazier Questionable For Saturday

During his press conference today, Coach Tomlin labelled linebackers Jarvis Jones and Ryan Shazier as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Bills at Heinz Field.

“We have some guys who are potentially questionable in terms of their participation in the game against the Bills, but like the preseason opener we’re going to hold out until the 11th hour to make a decision whether they’re available or not,” said Tomlin. “We want to try to give everybody an opportunity to play in this game. Jarvis Jones is nursing a groin and Ryan Shazier is nursing a knee bruise.”

Jarvis Jones has been hampered by a nagging groin injury on and off for the past couple weeks. He participated with the first team defense during last Saturday’s preseason opener, and recorded a sack, but his practice participation has been up and down. Ryan Shazier has only recently returned to practice in a limited capacity since suffering a knee bruise in practice a week and a half ago.

Tomlin went on to mention that a couple players who are recovering from injuries have a chance to play Saturday. “Rob Blanchflower is working his way back, he has worked extensively in the past couple of days and we expect him to participate in the game. Vince Williams has a possibility of playing, and we’ll see what he looks like from the ImPACT test standpoint.”

Blanchflower has been recovering from an ankle sprain he suffered early in training camp. Vince Williams suffered a concussion earlier this week.

 

steelers

Greg Warren Has A Torn Meniscus

Steelers long snapper Greg Warren suffered a leg injury during practice yesterday, an injury which coach Tomlin later described as a potentially serious one.

In his press conference today, Tomlin gave an update on Warren’s injury revealing that the long snapper has a torn meniscus in his knee, and is expected to be out for four weeks. Warren, who will be 33 in October, has already had multiple ACL tears throughout his NFL career. He has been injury free for the past few seasons however, as he’s started at long snapper for the past 64 consecutive games.

While Warren is out, Bryce Davis will handle long snapper duties. Davis has never played in a regular season game, so there is always the possibility that the team could bring in another long snapper at some point if they deem it to be necessary.

greg warren

Greg Warren Could Have A Serious Leg Injury

Veteran long snapper Greg Warren left practice early today. Head coach Mike Tomlin told the media after practice that he suffered a potentially significant leg injury. According to Tomlin, he’s being evaluated. The Steelers re-signed Warren to a one year deal this spring for the veteran minimum. He’s been with the team since 2005.

The Steelers have one other long snapper on the roster right now- Bryce Davis. Davis was signed by the Steelers in January. He spent time on the Bengals practice squad in 2012, and was with Cincinnati for training camp last year, but didn’t make the team.

You might be saying “well, it’s just the long snapper”, and to that I say: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80bf828f/WK-8-Giants-safety-ties-game

Hopefully his injury isn’t as bad as it sounds. We’ll update when more info is available.

steelers

Jarvis Jones, Foster, Zumwalt, Spaeth And Williams Out For Practice Today

There are five players not practicing today for the first of two joint practices with the Buffalo Bills. Vince Williams, who was being evaluated for a concussion yesterday, is sitting out today. Ramon Foster left practice early yesterday with some knee swelling is out today.

Jarvis Jones is also sidelined today, presumably due to his groin. Matt Spaeth is out again today. He was back yesterday after being out for undisclosed reasons on Monday. Lastly, Jordan Zumwalt has been battling groin issues on and off, is also not participating today.

Stephen Houston

Steelers Sign RB Stephen Houston

The Steelers have signed rookie running back Stephen Houston today. Houston was cut by the Patriots on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/499580420078727168

Houston went undrafted out of Indiana and was signed by the Patriots in May. The 5’11”, 225 lb running back put up some explosive numbers at his pro day- 4.4 40, 40″ vertical, and an 11′ broad jump. The former Indiana back amassed 2304 rushing yards during his three year career there.

Houston was touted as one of New England’s most promising UDFA signings, but a fumble in the 4th quarter Saturday night sealed his fate there. After the fumble, Houston was benched and was waived the next day. Here’s a gif of the fumble.

Stephen Houston Fumble

Stephen Houston Fumble

Here are some of Houston’s highlights from Indiana.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxsd7d775-w

The Steelers still have one more roster spot available after the signing of Houston.

Steelers news

Steelers Have No Immediate Plans To Add A Punter

I reported earlier that the Steelers placed P Adam Podlesh on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. The move was essentially a procedural one to free up the spot on the 90 man roster. When asked after practice if the team had plans to bring in another leg to compete with Wing, coach Tomlin said no. “Not as we stand here right now, no. Not that I’m opposed to it but not as we stand here right now,” said Tomlin.

About Podlesh’s current situation Tomlin said, “It is what it is right now. He’s on that list and his status will remain there until we hear otherwise. Right now we’re working with Brad, and I like the work that he’s doing.”

Podlesh can still rejoin the team. Being placed on the Reserve list doesn’t eliminate that possibility. While Wing may be the only punter on the active roster right now, I think the team taught us last year that the last punter standing after camp doesn’t necessarily have a job during the regular season.

Vince-Williams

Vince Williams May Have A Concussion

Linebacker Vince Williams was carted off the field during practice today. When it happened, most reports indicated that it didn’t look serious, and that Williams was able to walk under his own power.

After practice, coach Mike Tomlin revealed that the injury to Williams was a potential concussion. According to Tomlin, there is no news at this time as he is being evaluated.

Mike Adams

Mike Munchak: Mike Adams Had “Good, Solid Start”

Mike Adams drew lots of criticism for his play against the Giants Saturday night. While his performance during the preseason opener wouldn’t earn him the label of technician, it wasn’t nearly as bad as many people were making it out to be. I think some people thought I was crazy the other day when I posted about his not so poor play in the forum.

Turns out, offensive line coach Mike Munchak agrees. In an interview with reporters at St. Vincent today, Munchak remarked on the offensive tackle’s performance. Via Chris Bradford of the Beaver County Times, Munchak said that Adams had a “good, solid start”. Coach Munchak also said that he thought Adams had some issues with technique early in the game, but settled in and was solid after time.

https://twitter.com/rayfitt1/status/499227401948495873

Munchak added that Adams is competing for the swing tackle spot with Guy Whimper. Personally, I don’t think that’s a very close competition. I can’t see any scenario where Adams doesn’t make the roster this year, but he’s going to need to continue to show the coaching staff that he can be trusted in pass protection. Munchak has already helped Marcus Gilbert fix some technique issues, and with time, there’s a strong chance he can do the same for Adams.

steelers

Steelers Place P Adam Podlesh On Reserve/Did Not Report List

The Steelers have placed punter Adam Podlesh on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. Podlesh has missed all of training camp so he could be with his wife who underwent a complicated chidbirth. Putting Podlesh on reserve is really just procedural in nature so he doesn’t count towards the 90 man roster.

Currently the only punter in camp is Brad Wing, who had an inconsistent premier on Saturday. Podlesh can still rejoin the team at any time, and the move certainly doesn’t mean Wing will be the punter in 2014.

Adam Podlesh

Steelers Waive RB Jawan Jamison

The Steelers have waived running back Jawan Jamison. Jamison didn’t play in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Giants.

https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/498884059041239040

The Steelers signed Jamison a week and a half ago when they waived running back Alvester Alexander. Expect the team to make another signing in the near future to fill the available roster spot. Who is anyone’s guess.