It was a lively Steelers locker room yesterday in the aftermath of Sunday night’s playoff-clinching win over Baltimore. Now, it’s on to preparations for a Monday night Wild Card Round game against Houston, and the Steelers welcomed wide receiver DK Metcalfe back after he served his two-game NFL suspension for an altercation with a fan in Detroit on December 21st.
Metcalfe refused to say anything about the incident or the suspension. But he was happy to talk about playing again, and looking forward to facing one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Metcalfe says the Texans will be a challenge.
The veteran wide receiver was grateful that his teammates stayed in touch while he was away.
The Steelers have used their own version of the “tush push” in short-yardage situations, using Connor Heyward to gain the crucial first down or touchdown they need. On Sunday, Heyward’s brother, Cam, lined up in the backfield and provided the push, replacing injured tight end Darnell Washington in the formation.
Connor Heyward wasn’t a fan of the play when they first started practicing it, but he says offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has gotten very creative scheming it out turned it into a real weapon.
The Steelers are well aware of the Texans’ strengths on both sides of the ball. Rookie edge rusher Jack Sawyer was a teammate of Texans’ quarterback CJ Stroud at Ohio State, and he says Stroud is driven to win.
The Steelers yesterday released veteran cornerback Tre Flowers, whom they signed on Christmas Day after he was let go by Detroit.
NFL
Three head coaches lost their jobs yesterday on the NFL’s “Black Monday.” That makes six head coaching vacancies so far. The Browns are moving on from Kevin Stefanski after six seasons, during two of which he led Cleveland to the playoffs. He was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 and 2023. The Raiders fired Pete Carroll after just one season. The Cardinals let Jonathan Gannon go after three years.
On Sunday, the Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris. The Titans fired Brian Callahan in October and the Giants fired Brian Dabol in November.
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