The Steelers were back in the team facility at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex yesterday to get injuries checked out and meet with coaches before scattering for their bye week. After their week off, they return to action November 10th at Washington.
Linebacker Alex Highsmith reflected on Monday night’s win over the Giants and said the run defense wasn’t up to snuff.
The Steelers still have not played an AFC North game this season, but that’s about to change. After the Washington game, they will play four straight games against division opponents, starting with the Ravens, then against the Browns, the Bengals, and the Browns again. Highsmith says they’re aware of the tough schedule within the division, but for now they will focus on Washington.
Highsmith says the Steelers defense knows it’s capable of playing much better.
Cornerback Donte Jackson says the defense has room to improve.
Jackson says he and fellow cornerback Joey Porter Jr. are working together to improve week to week.
Linebacker Nick Herbig expects to be ready to play again after sitting out the last three games with a hamstring injury. Herbig says being in first place after eight games is good, but it’s only halfway home.
Herbig says the defense is keying off the leadership of TJ Watt.
TJ Watt is the AFC Defensive Player of the Week and Calvin Austin is the Special Teams Player of the Week for their performances against the Giants.
The Steelers yesterday added running back Aaron Shampklin to the practice squad. He was cut from the active roster after Monday’s game.
The son of the Steelers’ founder is one of nine finalists for the NFL Hall of Fame in the “contributors” category. Art Rooney Jr. survived the Hall of Fame’s Contributor Blue-Ribbon Committee’s cut of 25 candidates to nine. He was instrumental in building the Steelers dynasty of the 1970s as the team’s personnel director. Now 89 years old, Rooney is still listed as a Steelers vice president.
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