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Findings19
TE Darnell Washington returns to practice, considered likely to play
Tight end Darnell Washington returned to practice after missing earlier sessions for personal reasons and is viewed as likely to play Sunday in New England. His return eases tight end depth concerns and adds a blocking/receiving option for the offense.
via TabTab4h agoSource
Steelers feature: Patrick Graham praised for clarity teaching defense
Team reporters and coaches highlighted new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham's ability to communicate his vision and get veteran players aligned during the early season. The coverage frames Graham’s scheme and coaching as a key factor behind the defense's strong Week 1 performance.
via TabTab4h agoSource
WR Michael Pittman Jr. downgraded to questionable after limited practices
The Steelers listed wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. as questionable for Week 2 after he was limited earlier in the week and did not practice on Thursday and Friday. Pittman led the team in receiving in Week 1, so his uncertain status could affect Pittsburgh's passing game targets.
via TabTab4h agoSource
Steelers rule out CB Joey Porter Jr. for Week 2 at New England
The Steelers have officially ruled out starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. for Sunday's road game against the New England Patriots. Porter missing another game is a confirmed availability change and forces Pittsburgh to continue without one of its top outside corners for at least one more week.
via TabTab4h agoSource
Michael Pittman Jr. downgraded to out after limited practice earlier in week
Yahoo Sports reports Pittman did not practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday, with his status for Week 2 listed as out. His absence would remove the Steelers’ leading Week 1 receiver from the planned gameplan and force increased targets to other pass-catchers if he remains unavailable Sunday.
via TabTab1d agoSource
Steelers.com Q&A reiterates Joey Porter Jr. remains under his existing contract
The Steelers’ Asked and Answered column clarified that Joey Porter Jr. will play this season under the terms of his current contract if activated. The item answers a fan question about the player’s contract status and confirms team/league rules require him to play on the signed deal unless a new agreement is reached. This is a team-sourced clarification amid ongoing availability and negotiation attention.
via TabTab1d agoSource
Darnell Washington absent from practice for a second straight day for personal reasons
SteelerNation reports tight end Darnell Washington missed Thursday's practice again for personal reasons. Insiders say he is not injured and could still travel and play, but his absence injects short-term uncertainty for the multi–tight end gameplans.
via TabTab2d agoSource
Max Iheanachor getting extended first-team reps as tackle situation evolves
Steelernation and other local beat reports say Steelers coach Mike McCarthy called Thursday a "big day" for rookie tackle Max Iheanachor, who received extended work with the starters while Fautanu was limited. Iheanachor's reps place him in position to start if Fautanu cannot play Sunday.
via TabTab2d agoSource
T.J. Watt named AFC Defensive Player of the Week after Week 1 pick-six
The Steelers announced T.J. Watt won the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Week 1 win over the Falcons. Watt had two sacks, three tackles for loss and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, a performance that swung Pittsburgh’s opener. This recognition highlights Watt’s immediate impact on the defense and the early success of the team’s edge rotation plan.
via TabTab2d agoSource
Steelers hosted former NFL left tackle Austin Deculus for a visit
Steelers Now reports Pittsburgh hosted free agent Austin Deculus for a visit Tuesday and also tried out Charlie Heck; the team is adding tackle depth after trading Broderick Jones and while Jack Driscoll is sidelined. Deculus has starting experience and the visit signals Pittsburgh is actively seeking depth behind starters Troy Fautanu and Dylan Cook.
via TabTab3d agoSource
Starting left tackle Troy Fautanu misses Wednesday practice with ankle issue
Multiple outlets report Fautanu did not practice Wednesday due to an ankle injury and his status will be monitored ahead of Sunday’s game at New England. Dylan Cook worked in Fautanu’s spot in some drills and Max Iheanachor saw a brief game snap Week 1; Pittsburgh has limited pure tackle depth on the 53-man roster. The team will need to track Fautanu’s availability for Week 2 protection planning.
via TabTab3d agoSource
Steelers expanding three-outside linebacker (3-EDGE) package into base defense
Film analysis shows Pittsburgh used a 3-EDGE look (T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig) as a regular base grouping in the Week 1 win, not just in situational pass-rush snaps. The package accounted for a significant share of early-down defensive snaps, indicating schematic commitment from the new coaching staff. That change affects how opponents must prepare for Pittsburgh’s front and how snaps are allocated across the defensive line and linebacker corps.
via TabTab3d agoSource
Steelers audition offensive tackle Charlie Heck on tryout
The Steelers brought in veteran offensive tackle Charlie Heck for a tryout Tuesday, an apparent move to add tackle insurance given the team’s thin depth at the position. Heck (6'8", veteran of multiple teams) has prior starting experience and was cut by Miami in final roster moves; the tryout is precautionary rather than an announced signing.
via TabTab4d agoSource
Steelers publish Week 2 depth chart with no major changes
Pittsburgh released its Week 2 depth chart ahead of the trip to New England and made no significant lineup changes from the Week 1 win over Atlanta. Key starters remain in place, with Joey Porter Jr. still listed in a ramp-up role and Asante Samuel Jr. remaining active at the boundary spot. This signals the coaching staff intends to stick with its opening-week rotation into Week 2.
via TabTab4d agoSource
Week 1 snap-counts reveal workload shifts and rotation plans
Published snap-count analysis highlighted reduced snaps for longtime workhorse Cam Heyward, modest rotational usage for T.J. Watt, heavy usage for Jaquan Brisker and expanded roles for certain linebackers and tight ends. The breakdown offers an early look at the pecking order and how Pittsburgh plans to manage veteran workloads. Those snap distributions can influence in-game rotation and injury risk planning.
via TabTab4d agoSource
Joey Porter Jr. listed inactive for Week 1; McCarthy says holdout was a coaching decision
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was listed as the Steelers’ only injury-report player inactive for the season opener against Atlanta; coach Mike McCarthy said he made the decision to hold Porter out and was noncommittal about whether Porter will be available for Week 2. Porter missed most of training camp with a back issue and did practice during the week.
via TabTab4d agoSource
McCarthy highlights third-down work and praises four-minute offense after opener
After the Week 1 win, Mike McCarthy said improving third-down efficiency is a primary focus for the offense and praised the team’s four-minute rushing performance that closed out the game. He identified third downs as an area needing immediate attention despite the victory.
via TabTab4d agoSource
Steelers elevated CB Doneiko Slaughter to active roster for Week 1
Pittsburgh elevated defensive back Doneiko Slaughter from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive roster for the game against the Falcons; the team said he will revert to the practice squad after the game. His elevation was noted on the team’s Week 1 inactive report.
via TabTab5d agoSource
Steelers win season opener 20-13 over Falcons after T.J. Watt pick-six
Pittsburgh defeated Atlanta 20-13 in Week 1, with T.J. Watt’s fourth-quarter interception returned for a touchdown providing the decisive score; the defense finished with multiple sacks and two interceptions to seal the win. The result gives Mike McCarthy a 1-0 start and highlights the defense as the unit that carried the team amid an inconsistent offensive performance.
via TabTab5d agoSource