The Pittsburgh Steelers host the 4-7 New Orleans Saints this Sunday at Heinz Field. The game will be televised on Fox at 1:00 PM, with Thom Brennaman and Donovan McNabb as commentators. Yup, Donovan McNabb.
You can see if your local Fox affiliate will be airing the game via the map below.
Red- Steelers vs Saints
Blue- Redskins at Colts
Green- Giants at Jags
Purple- Panthers at Vikings
Yellow- Cardinals at Falcons (late)
H/T 506sports.com
The Steelers are getting some defensive players back into the fold this week as Ike Taylor, Ryan Shazier, Troy Polamalu, and Shamarko Thomas move towards playing this Sunday. Ike was a full participant in practice for the second day this week, so the arrow seems to be clearly pointing up for him to play on Sunday.
After practice, team Dr. James Bradley checked on Taylor. According to the veteran cornerback, Bradley was just checking on him. “I’m ready,” said Ike.
S Shamarko Thomas and CB Cortez Allen both participated fully in today’s practice. In his press conference yesterday, Coach Tomlin said that Allen broke his thumb during a practice before the Tennessee Titans game. The injury required pins to be inserted, and Allen is sporting a protective cast this week. His ability to play on Sunday will depend on how that hampers him this week.
Rookie linebacker Ryan Shazier was also a full participant today- the first time since injuring his ankle on November 2nd. Shazier says his ankle is still a little sore, but it’s feeling a lot better via ESPN. “It’s a little sore but I’m just going to listen to whatever the trainers and doctors tell me and be ready.”
Nose Tackle Steve McLendon was limited during practice today due to his shoulder injury. RT Marcus Gilbert was also listed as limited on the injury report. According to Ramon Foster, the two got “tangled up” during a play in practice, and Gilbert took the worst of it.
https://twitter.com/dlolleyor/status/537706494465441793
If Gilbert can’t go on Sunday, Mike Adams will be his replacement.
S Troy Polamalu, DE Brett Keisel, and TE Heath Miller were all given veteran days off today. WR Martavis Bryant did not practice due to an illness.
Troy is recovering from a knee sprain, but is expected to play against the Saints this Sunday.
Johnny Manziel has managed to avoid trouble for a while. In fact, it’s been pretty quiet on the Johnny Football gossip front…until now. According to clevescene.com, police responded to a call at 2:36 am Saturday morning. The caller alleged that there was a riot in progress involving 20 men and 2 security guards.
The gist of the story is that the self proclaimed “biggest Browns fan ever” saw Manziel and wanted to give him a hug. When he got too close to Manziel, someone in his entourage punched him in the face, then he was tackled and thoroughly beaten down.
According to the victim, his brother saw what was going on and tackled Manziel.
“My brother saw what was going on and he ran he tackled Johhny Manziel — I guess he got the sack and the fumble. He tackled him, yeah, I’m talking about he speared him all the way to the back wall. I was cornered; I was by myself and Johnny Manziel and like three or four of his buddies were all coming at me. (My brother) just came to help me out, and I guess Johnny sucker punched him while the security guard was holding him. It should be all on video.”
Browns General Manger Ray Farmer released the following statement regarding the incident:
“We are aware of the incident and are in the process of gathering additional information in order to gain a complete understanding of what occurred. Nonetheless, the time of the incident is concerning to us. We continually stress to all of our players the importance of sound decision making in an effort to avoid putting themselves in these types of situations. We have addressed this appropriately with the player and will have no further comment at this time.”
Ike Taylor has been given the green light to return to active duty according to multiple media reports this afternoon. Taylor says he will be starting Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
https://twitter.com/dlolleyor/status/536946831352401920
The veteran cornerback hasn’t played since suffering a gruesome forearm injury during the week 3 win over the Carolina Panthers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT2YYaXdPZY
Regardless of how you feel about Ike’s play this year, his return to the secondary is most welcome.
Steelers OLB Jarvis Jones has been cleared to return to practice today. The Steelers will have 3 weeks to activate him to the 53 man roster, or send him to season ending injured reserve.
Jones has been on IR/with the return designation since September 23rd, after dislocating his wrist during the Panthers game. The injury required surgery, and the team will find out shortly if the linebacker’s wrist is now strong enough for him to be effective this season.
To fill the void left by the departure of DE Nick Williams, the Steelers have signed free agent defensive end Joe Kruger to the practice squad.
https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/536890173242347522
Kruger is 6’6, 290 lbs. He was drafted in the 7th round of the 2013 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie defensive lineman spent the 2013 season on IR after injuring his shoulder during a preseason game.
Kruger was released by the Eagles before the 2014 season began, and has spent time on the Chargers and Packers practice squads. Green Bay waived Kruger two weeks ago.
Kruger is the younger brother of Cleveland Browns DE Paul Kruger.
The Kansas City Chiefs are planning to sign Steelers practice squad DE Nick Williams according to Steeler Nation’s favorite reporter Ian Rapoport. According to Rapoport, they’ve been coveting him.
https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/536859400825102336
The Steelers drafted Williams in the 7th round of the 2013 draft. The former Samford defensive lineman missed all of last season with a knee injury. He saw limited playing time during the 2014 preseason, but looked to have made a lot of progress.
If you’re not aware, teams are allowed to sign any player from another team’s practice squad, though that player must be signed to the new team’s 53 man active roster.
The loss of Williams comes right after losing DE Josh Mauro to the Arizona Cardinals. Expect the team to add another defensive lineman in the near future.
It didn’t take long for former Steelers running back LeGarrette Blount to get back on the horse. Not only was Blount in the Patriots backfield today, he scored a touchdown. As of the 3rd quarter, Blount had 4 carries, 1 for 23 yards, and a touchdown. Blount’s touchdown celebration is probably going to get a lot of attention this week. Look familiar?
I’ll let you draw your own conclusions.
[Update]
According to 93.7’s Tim Benz, Blount said it was a tribute to his “homey” Antonio Brown. “He’s always going to be a lifelong friend.That was a tribute to him,” said Blount.
https://twitter.com/TimBenzWEEI/status/536643935712841728
The NFL has announced that the Jets @ Bills game scheduled for this Sunday will be moved to Detroit and rescheduled to Monday night.
https://twitter.com/nfl/status/535615423753256960
There were reports earlier that Heinz Field was being considered as a possible contingency venue, but logistically that was close to impossible. Don’t quote me on this, but this might be the first time in history where Detroit was considered a safer alternative than, well…anywhere.
LeGarrette Blount was back in a Patriots jersey today after being released two days ago by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
https://twitter.com/BGlobeSports/status/535512812924436480
Not sure why it’s number 60…it’s only temporary for this week’s practices. Anyway, earlier today Blount took to Twitter to issue an apology to Steeler Nation, as well as to his former teammates and the Rooneys.
https://twitter.com/LG_Blount/status/535572773402583040
https://twitter.com/LG_Blount/status/535573019117518848
https://twitter.com/LG_Blount/status/535573228635582464
It’s unfortunate that Blount had to be released, but it’s refreshing to see him take the high road. I wish him luck when he’s playing for a NFC team next year. While with the Patriots- I hope he rides the pine.