Mitch Trubisky came off the bench for an injured Kenny Pickett and linebacker Devin Bush batted away a Tom Brady two-point conversion pass to lead the Steelers over the Tampa Bay Bucs, 20-18 yesterday at Acrisure Stadium.
The underdog Steelers played without their top three cornerbacks and linebacker TJ Watt, and a number of guys were hobbled during the game but the defense hung on and made eight stops for zero or negative yards. Trubisky relieved Pickett in the third quarter after Pickett suffered an apparent concussion and led a touchdown drive that featured the Steelers longest pass play of the season, 45 yards to rookie tight end Connor Heyward, and an 11-yard touchdown pass to Chase Claypool.
Coach Mike Tomlin says the Steelers are “leaky” right now, and need to realize it’s just one game.
Tomlin says Mitch Trubisky has been everything he thought he was since he joined the team and yesterday was not a surprise.
The Steelers secondary featured three guys who started last week on the practice squad – Josh Jackson, Quincy Wilson, and Elijah Riley – plus backup cornerback James Pierre and regular starter Terrell Edmunds. Tomlin was impressed with their work.
Mitch Trubisky says he felt comfortable getting back in the huddle after Pickett was injured.
Trubisky says he was ready to go if called upon.
Claypool caught seven passes for 96 yards and the first touchdown by a Steelers receiver this season. In the fourth quarter, he made a sensational improvised catch to keep the possession alive and the clock running down the stretch. Claypool says the Steelers were confident in Trubisky coming off the bench.
Linebacker Myles Jack had another solid game despite suffering an ankle injury, from which he returned after leaving the game briefly. He says it was a great team win.
Next up for the Steelers is a Sunday night game in Miami. The Dolphins lost yesterday to Minnesota, 24-16 and lost another quarterback. Rookie Skylar Thompson suffered an apparent concussion and was replaced by Teddy Bridgewater, who was coming off an injury and responded with 329 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Regular starter Tua Tagavailoa may also be ready to return to the lineup Sunday night.
Of the Steelers’ AFC North rivals, only the Bengals won. They beat New Orleans, 30-26. Baltimore lost to the New York Giants, 24-20 and Cleveland was trounced by New England, 38-15. Patriots coach Bill Belichick is now tied with George Halas for second on the NFL all-time wins list with 324.
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