Hey Steelers Fans! Welcome to Monday.
Tomorrow, the Steelers will have to cut down their roster from 90 to 53. They may also have a 16-man Practice Squad but I think most of you know by now that whatever the roster is late tomorrow, it will be different come the days leading up to the season opener in Atlanta. Let’s get into why.
O-Line Mess
Nate Herbig on the Injured Reserve list for the season is old news. Troy Fautanu having a sprained MCL is also news we’ve known. Broderick Jones dealing with a bad elbow is concerning. And now Dylan Cook has a foot injury that will sideline him for a few weeks. “Who cares about Cook?” you might ask. Well, the young man has slowly gotten better and with Fautanu and Jones both less than 100% he was likely going to make the roster as a backup and a key one at that.
‘Watts’ is an Appropriate Term Here
Ryan Watts’ injury at the end of the game Saturday looked far worse than it was. Easy for me to say right? He suffered a stinger when his head/neck made contact with another player’s knee. If you’ve never had one, a stinger is like a bolt of lightning coming through you especially on the side you’re impacted. Sometimes it can go away quickly and in some cases – like Watts’ I’m guessing – it takes time to wear off. And it freaking hurts!!
Other Walking Wounded
Cory Trice, Jr who has pretty much played himself into the first guy off the bench to replace Joey Porter, Jr or Donte Jackson, suffered a groin injury Saturday. It is not thought to be serious. International player Julius Welschof is dealing with a knee problem that we should get more information on today.
Putting It Into Perspective
So the Steelers finish the preseason winless. Know who else did? The Kansas City Chiefs. We are not the Chiefs, not even close, but winning and losing exhibition games doesn’t mean anything. Remember when John Harbaugh’s Ravens had that long preseason winning streak going? It meant nothing. They never reached the Super Bowl. Preseason football is player evaluation football. Period. End of report.
Adding a WR?
Many of you know me well enough to say that I never say ‘never.’ Therefore, I am not going to say that Brandon Aiyuk to the Steelers is “never” going to happen. Do I doubt it does? I sure do and for many reasons. That doesn’t mean however that the Steelers won’t add another wide receiver in the next week or so. Keep in mind, this person won’t be to the level of Aiyuk – not even close – but is there someone worth trading for? Honestly, I’m not sure there will be anyone available who is a significant upgrade over Van Jefferson. It’s unlikely that Omar Khan will give up too much so I guess we wait.
Random Rumblings
Laugh all you want to but you know who might be available this week? Chuks Okorafor. Banished to the bench after openly criticizing the coaches last year, he signed with New England this offseason. He was called last night for an illegal formation penalty nullifying a touchdown. It’s his fourth such penalty this preseason. We very well could use some tackle help… I have a feeling something will come this week regarding Cam Heyward and his contract. I haven’t been given any inside information, I just have a gut feeling… Very sad to hear of the passing of Ravens’ Offensive Line Coach Joe D’Alessandris. He had been ill for the last couple of weeks and passed away at the age of 70. He was from Aliquippa… A player in English Professional Soccer was injured by an advertisement board yesterday. I’m surprised this hasn’t happened sooner… My son turned 20 yesterday and he’s the youngest of two. I felt really old.
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