Good Thursday to you Steelers fans.
I keep going back to something Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday during his weekly press conference. At one point he was asked about the offensive line and said, “We are capable of winning the line of scrimmage.” When the questions made their way to protection of QB Ben Roethlisberger (more specifically why they can’t throw deep) Tomlin said, “It might have to do with maybe what’s going on up front.” This is the point where I have any number of memes in my head that show someone going “Wait. What?” While I recognize that Tomlin is ‘technically’ talking about two different aspects of the offense I still struggle to understand what message he is trying to send because those items sound quite contradictory. Understand that when Tomlin speaks, it isn’t for our benefit though. It’s another way for him to get messages to his players. The feeling I get is that he’s trying to be honest about the state of the offensive line but he’s also trying to build confidence in his young unit as well. Or perhaps Tomlin is completely out of answers altogether and that is my bigger concern right now.
Tweet of the Day… Banner returned to practice for the first time this season yesterday which automatically starts the 21-day clock where the Steelers either have to put him on the active roster or designate him IR for the season. His presence, especially in the run game would be most beneficial right now.
Keep Grinding…
?? pic.twitter.com/gtm7uzFNLc— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) September 30, 2021
From the Training Table
STEELERS
QB Ben Roethlisberger (Pectoral) – DNP
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ribs) – DNP
DT Carlos Davis (Knee) – DNP
OL Chukwuma Okorafor (Concussion) – DNP
WR Diontae Johnson (Knee) – Limited
LB Alex Highsmith (Groin) – Limited
OL Rashaad Coward (Ankle) – Limited
LB T.J. Watt (Groin) – Limited
PACKERS
LB Krys Barnes (Concussion) – DNP
G Elgton Jenkins (Ankle) – DNP
CB Kevin King (Concussion) – DNP
WR Marques Valdes-Scantling (Hamstring) – DNP
RB Aaron Jones (Ankle) – Limited
S Vernon Scott(Hamstring) – Limited
C/G Josh Myers (Finger) – Full
Injury Notes: “Limited” designations for Watt, Highsmith and Johnson on Wednesday is a hopeful sign they’ll be able to go on Sunday. I stress “hopeful…” I’m sure Big Ben is hurting physically but I just hate him not practicing on Wednesdays. There is so much miscommunication with his receivers right now. Seems like that extra day of work would help that.
Steelers History
This week, Gordon takes us way back to the days of legendary coach Jock Sutherland. The one-time Pitt Football Coach finally made the jump to the pro ranks where he found his young team matched against the great Green Bay Packers. After ten tries, Sutherland’s unit finally broke through.
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