Coach Mike Tomlin says key mistakes on offense, defense, and special teams led to the Steelers’ loss on Sunday in Chicago. And if they can’t reverse the trend against the high-powered Buffalo Bills this Sunday, there’s going to be trouble.
Tomlin hopes one possible solution to the team’s problems might be solved with the return of Aaron Rodgers, but he says they’ll watch Rodgers closely to see if the quarterback is physically able to play with his fractured left wrist.
The rest of the injury report is not good, especially for the beleaguered Steelers defense. Linebacker Alex Highsmith remains a question mark with his pectoral injury. Defensive lineman and number one draft pick Derrick Harmon has been ruled out with a previously unknown knee injury and another former top pick, offensive left tackle Broderick Jones, will miss the game with a neck injury. Three players will be limited in practice for today…cornerback Joey Porter Jr. has a hip flexor injury, wide receiver DK Metcalfe a sore ankle, and receiver/special teams gunner Ben Skowronek has a bad shoulder.
Steelers defensive lineman Daniel Ekuale has been suspended by the NFL for using a banned performance enhancing substance. His season was already over after he tore an ACL last month against Green Bay.
The Bills’ quarterback is All-Pro and 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player Josh Allen. Tomlin says he’s a tough puzzle to solve for a defense.
The Steelers have been the victims of their own inconsistent play. Tomlin says yes, that is a big – and obvious – problem.
Just in time for Sunday’s game, the Bills have added a wide receiver the Steelers were reportedly interested in. Buffalo signed veteran Brandin Cooks, whose request for release was honored by the Saints last weekend. He wanted to play for a contender, so the Saints let him go in a salary dump.
HINES TO THE HALL?
Hines Ward is the only Steeler to make it to the next round of voting for the NFL Hall of Fame. It’s the tenth straight year he’s reached the semifinals since becoming eligible in 2017, but he’s never made it to the finals. Twenty-six former stars made the semifinals, including seven first-timers and five who made it in their first year of eligibility, among them former Pitt star Larry Fitzgerald.
Ex-Steelers Maurkice Pouncey, James Harrison, and Gary Anderson did not make it to the semifinals.
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