Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
You can say I’m biased all you’d like and you’re probably right. When it comes to the NFL’s “Color Rush” uniforms there is no uniform better than the Pittsburgh Steelers. The combination of the black helmet, black jersey and black pants with the gold trim is as eye-popping as it gets. Don’t get me wrong, there are other great color rush uni’s out there but I cannot say any are better than what the Steelers have. That said, this Sunday is the day the team will break out theirs. If you recall, this was originally supposed to be a Sunday Night game. Because the Black and Gold aren’t exactly doing well this season the decision was made to move a more competitive matchup into that slot. Time will tell as to whether that was the right decision but I feel confident when I tell you that the all-white Bengals(their color rush uni this year) and the all-black Steelers will be must see TV on late Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh.
The Podcast
Episode 294 of the SCB Steelers Podcast presented by DEK Roofing Inc is here for your viewing and/or listening pleasure. We covered the emergence of the running game, the progress of Kenny Pickett, the return of T.J. Watt and a whole lot more! Check it out!!
Tweet of the Day… This is good news. Leal was really rounding himself into a nice player in his rookie season before getting hurt.
#Steelers DE DeMarvin Leal returned to practice today, 11/16. The team now has 21 days to activate him to the 53-man roster from Injured Reserve.
— Ben Anderson (@BenAnderson58) November 16, 2022
Wednesday Injury Report
STEELERS
RB Najee Harris (Knee) – FP
CB Ahkello Witherspoon (Hamstring) – DNP
LB Marcus Allen (Illness) – DNP
S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Appendix) – DNP
LB Devin Bush (Knee) – DNP
OL Kevin Dotson (Hip) – DNP
OL Trent Scott (Back) DNP
LB T.J. Watt (Pectoral) – FP
DT Larry Ogunjobi (Knee) – DNP
BENGALS
WR Ja’Marr Chase (Hip) – DNP
OT La’el (NIR – Rest) – DNP
S Dax Hill (Shoulder) – DNP
DT Josh Tupou (Calf) – DNP
HB Chris Evans (Knee) – LP
CB Tre Flowers (Hamstring) – LP
CB Mike Hilton (Finger) – FP
Injury Notes: I would not be surprised if Kevin Dotson can’t go on Sunday. He’s battling a hip issue but also has some tender ribs as well… Minkah Fitzpatrick could play Sunday but we got no indication of that on Wednesday. His presence would be huge against Joe Burrow.
Center of Attention
I think if we go back to the signing of center Mason Cole, the overall feeling was that he would be an upgrade over Kendrick Green but how good would he actually be? In my opinion he’s been exactly what we thought he would be. He’s been very stable in both the running game and in pass protection but hasn’t been overly dominant and hasn’t always been pushed around either. The loss to the Eagles was probably his worst outing as he struggled with both Jordan Davis and Javon Hargrave. But he played well last week and has had plenty of positive moments over the course of the season. The big question moving forward is whether or not he does enough keep the Steelers from drafting a center in 2023.
Competition
Mike Tomlin loves competition because it often reveals the best players have inside them. It can also create urgency at times when maybe a little complacency has set in. The arrival of William Jackson III may have been as much about motivation as just about anything else. Levi Wallace was returning from injury Sunday and played his best game grabbing an interception and helping on another one. But Wallace may not have been the only target of Tomlin’s motivational tactic. Ahkello Witherspoon hasn’t played since being torched for three scores in Philadelphia as he battles a hamstring problem. While WJIII didn’t play last week and may not this week either, his presence is creating some uncomfortable moments for fellow cornerbacks and that could be a good thing.
FOCO
We’ve got some awesome new stuff from our friends at FOCO! Check out the latest Hoodeez, as well as new FOCO Sweatshirts, Jackets, Leggings, Joggers, and MORE for MLB, NFL, and even NCAA.
ALERT!! FOCO just dropped these cool, new bobbleheads this week. Get one today!
Our Online Store
Please visit our online store! We have been so fortunate to work with DC4L Custom Tees! They are wonderful to work with and are willing to work with you on just about any design you can come up with! Check out our latest T.J. Watt inspired t-shirt/hoodie.
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