WATT SAYS OPENING GAME AGAINST BENGALS IS KEY

Steelers linebacker TJ Watt says the opening game against the Bengals on Sunday is key, even though it’s so early in the season.  The game is an AFC North matchup, which carries added significance, and it’s a chance to make an early stand against an opponent which had its way with the Steelers last season.

Watt wants to make a statement in Cincinnati on Sunday afternoon.

Watt says the Steelers’ defense has a lot to prove.

Steelers top draft pick Kenny Pickett had a terrific training camp and earned the QB2 slot on the depth chart.  He says he is absorbing everything he can at the outset of his NFL career.

The Steelers listed wide receiver Diontae Johnson and safety/linebacker Marcus Allen on their injury report yesterday.  Johnson has a shoulder injury and Allen a sore hamstring.  Johnson said he is doing everything he can to get back for Sunday’s season opener in Cincinnati.

The team also assigned linebacker Hamilcar Rashed to the practice squad injury list and added rookie wide receiver Jaquarri Roberson to the practice squad.  He spent his training camp with Dallas.

The Bengals injury report listed only three players, all tight ends.  Davin Asiasi is not practicing.  Mitchell Wilcox and Drew Sample are expected to play.  The final injury report, which will list game status expectations, will be issued tomorrow.

NFL 

• The NFL regular season kicks off tonight as the defending Super Bowl Champion LA Rams host the Buffalo Bills, who are one of the favorites in the AFC this season.
• Former Steeler Emmanuel Sanders says he has signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Denver Broncos.  Sanders spent six seasons with the Broncos and called them the “best years of his career.”  He also played for the 49ers and Saints.
• Former Pitt and Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald announced that he will be joining the ESPN Monday Night Football crew.
• Fox Sports says it is already 95 percent sold out for ads in the Super Bowl broadcast. Some of those ads are going for $7 million each and there are five or fewer 30-second spots left.