The Steelers will return to practice today and Russell Wilson will be a full practice participant for the first time since the preseason. Coach Mike Tomlin says Wilson’s practices will determine his ability to play, but Justin Fields is scheduled to start against the Raiders on Sunday.
The Steelers have an extensive injury list, especially at outside linebacker, where Alex Highsmith, Nick Herbig, and DeMarvin Leal all will miss Sunday’s game. Running back/receiver Cordarelle Patterson is also out. Running back Jaylen Warren, tight end MyCole Pruitt, and safety Damontae Kazee are all listed as doubtful.
The coach says he can’t worry about who isn’t available.
Tomlin has the help wanted sign out for edge rushers, and says practice squad players Ade Ogundeji, Eko Leota, and recent addition Jacoby Windmon could be options, or even defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk could play there.
Tomlin is wary of the schemes of Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, whom he says is very crafty.
Tomlin has another temperamental wide receiver on his hands and he seems frustrated to have to continually address it. George Pickens had a bad game on Sunday against Dallas, with a subpar, half-hearted performance and with some questionable conduct, such as an expletive written on his eye-black patches and grabbing the Cowboys’ Jourdan Lewis by the facemask after the game’s last play, causing Lewis to fall to the ground. The coach said he is addressing Pickens’ behavior, but not publicly.
NFL
New York Jets owner Woody Johnson yesterday fired his head coach. Robert Saleh was let go after the Jets’ 2-3 start. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich was named the interim head coach. Johnson says this Jets team is probably the best he’s had since he bought the team 25 years ago, and he believes it still has a chance to make a move in the mediocre AFC East.
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