NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Cam Heyward, Steelers searching for first win without T.J. Watt: 'I have to step up'

The Pittsburgh Steelers hope Sunday's matchup against the New York Jets will bring their first victory without star edge rusher T.J. Watt.

"Obviously, we're still trying to win without him," defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said Thursday, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I think we're 0-7 without him."

Actually, the Steelers are 0-6 in games Watt sits. According to Next Gen Stats, the Steelers have a 30.5 QB pressure percentage with Watt compared to 19.0 without since 2021.

With Watt out the past two games and slated to miss several more due to a pectoral injury, Pittsburgh must learn how to win without their star.

"For me, I look at it as I have to step up," Heyward said. "I have to be a better player on the field. It's not me replacing T.J. It's my technique that has to be a lot better. I think every player should look to do that. Every player should look toward raising their level when you've got guys out."

Added Heyward: "T.J. Watt is going to be playing football for a long time. At one time, he will retire, and we're going to have to play football without him. … There are going to be different players always playing. It's opportunities for guys to step up. We have to be excited about those opportunities. If you can turn it into a positive and can bring a guy like T.J. back, it only adds to your group."

After earning seven sacks in Week 1 with Watt in the lineup, Pittsburgh has just two sacks over their last two games (both in Week 3). Perhaps more concerning, the Steelers have generated only six total QB pressures from Weeks 2-3 (22 pressures in Week 1).


"I feel like we're getting better every game even though our record doesn't show that right now," said outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks. "We made a lot of corrections this week. We're excited to get out there."

Outside of Highsmith, the Steelers haven't found much pressure off the edge. Malik Reed and Robert Spillane have compiled just one QB hit each through three games, and Jamir Jones has yet to hit the QB.

"I think we're close," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. "I'd like it better if I didn't have to find that answer, but we're continuing to work and continuing to improve. … We have some guys who are getting opportunities here. I think we're a little closer in that regards, but it will all show out on Sundays."

Sunday could be a get-right matchup for the Steelers' defense against the New York Jets, who have allowed nine sacks through three weeks, tied for seventh-most in the NFL. Quarterback Zach Wilson will make his season debut Sunday. Wilson was sacked 44 times in 2021 (3rd-most in NFL).

NFL.com

 

Steelers starting safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is out of the NFL’s concussion protocol.

He was a full participant in practice all week and has no designation.


Fitzpatrick has played all 240 defensive snaps this season and has 24 tackles, two interceptions, two pass breakups and a touchdown.

The Steelers have only one player with a status for Sunday’s game against the Jets: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon will not play. He sat out all week with a hamstring injury.

Pittsburgh added cornerback Cameron Sutton to its practice report Friday. He was limited with a groin injury but has no designation.

Offensive guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and punter Pressley Harvin (left hip) were full participants all week and good to go.

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J.K. Dobbins is expected to play, Ronnie Stanley questionable



Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins landed on the injury report earlier this week with a chest injury. But after two days of full practice, he’s off the report and is expected to play in his second game of the season against Buffalo on Sunday.

There could be good news for offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley as well, who is questionable for the game. He was a full participant on Wednesday and Thursday before he did not participate on Friday.


Stanley said this week that he’s “really close” to returning from the ankle injury that’s kept him out for much of the last two seasons. He initially suffered the injury in November 2020 and played in just Week One last year.

Outside linebacker Justin Houston (groin) and offensive lineman Patrick Mekari (ankle) did not practice all week and are doubtful.

Cornerback Marcus Peters was listed on the injury report as rest/knee, as he didn’t practice Wednesday. But he was a full participant on Thursday and Friday and is expected to play.

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David Montgomery out, Robert Quinn questionable for Sunday



The Bears officially won’t have one of their key offensive players when they take on the Giants on Sunday.

Chicago ruled running back David Montgomery out with ankle and knee injuries. Things had been trending that way all week, with head coach Matt Eberflus calling Montgomery “day-to-day” before the running back did not practice all week.


Montgomery leads the team with 40 touches, amassing 159 yards rushing and five catches for 38 yards.

Khalil Herbert is in line to start at running back. He’s recorded 240 yards rushing and three touchdowns, averaging 7.3 yards per carry.

Chicago also ruled out defensive backs Jaylon Johnson (quad) and Dane Cruikshank (hamstring) after neither player practiced this week.

Linebacker Matt Adams (hamstring) and tight end Ryan Griffin (Achilles) are doubtful.

Edge rusher Robert Quinn (illness) was back on the field Friday as a limited participant after he missed Thursday’s session. He’s questionable.

Kicker Cairo Santos (personal) is also questionable after he missed Thursday and Friday practices.

Receiver Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) and linebacker Sterling Weatherford (ankle) round out Chicago’s questionable players.

Linebacker Roquan Smith (quad) was limited on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant on Friday and has no injury status for the game.

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Najee Harris: Media questions about offense are breaking us apart



In Pittsburgh, the performance of the offense has become a major early-season focal point. Despite a healthy smattering of weapons, the performance isn’t there.

And so the questions have come. Is it the play caller, Matt Canada? Is it the quarterback, Mitch Trubisky? Is it the offensive line?


Asked by a reporter on Friday about the comfort level of the offense given the questions about Canada and Trubisky, running back Najee Harris was blunt.

“I think it’s just the social media and the interviews or interviewers like you guys, not trying to put you guys in that category, you guys are just making the — just kind of breaking us apart in a way,” Harris said. “Because you guys keep asking questions like this. Like we’re at a point where we’re building right now. We’re working on it. But you guys come in here and ask questions of all the receivers and all the guys and Mitch about what is not working. That’s not how you build, and that’s not how you get better. You guys are breaking us up, and we need to find a way where we can just stay together and come together as a team and focus on what needs to matter most. Play calling . . . all that is fine. It’s just us executing. You guys keep blaming other people, it’s us in this locker room. We all need to come together and focus on what we need to improve on. Every week, every day we go out to practice. It’s not going to be perfect, but as long as the trajectory is going forward, that’s all that matters.”

Earlier in his session with reporters, Harris tried to deflect blame for the running game from the offensive line.

“I just need to trust them more,” Harris said. “We got some really good guys. They’ve done a really good job of getting better, and they are good. We do have a good O-line. Too much I see in social media and all that is, you know, how bad they talk about our O-line, but it’s not. You know, I mean it’s me. So we need to just stop focusing on them, start focusing on me.”

Harris has only 128 rushing yards through three games, and he’s averaging 3.2 yards per carry. He has another 48 receiving yards, on 10 catches.

The Steelers rank 31st in total offense, with only 818 yards. Harris may not like the questions that the players are getting, but with that kind of performance, the questions won’t be stopping, simply because he thinks they’re breaking the offense apart.

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Roquan Smith pleased with the results three games into “bet on myself” season



After initially demanding a new contract or a trade, Bears linebacker Roquan Smith decided this year to play out the final season of his rookie contract in Chicago and try to cash in when he hits free agency in March. So far, he’s happy with the results.

Smith has referred to this season as a “bet on myself,” and after three weeks the bet appears to be paying off, as he’s leading the team in tackles and had a huge impact on Sunday, when his fourth-quarter interception set up the Bears’ game-winning field goal.


‘‘Just reading my keys, watching film, trusting my teammates that they’re going to be in the right place at the right time,’’ Smith said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. ‘‘I was just shooting my shot.’’

Smith said he would love the attention another big game would bring him on Sunday, when the Bears are playing at the New York Giants in a matchup of two NFC teams that are surprisingly 2-1.

‘‘Oh, that would be pretty sweet,’’ Smith said. ‘‘Being able to get a little limelight and making plays, getting the dub [a victory], that would be pretty sweet.’’

Smith won’t find out how well the bet pays off until March, but three games into a 17-game season he thinks he’s on the right path.

PFT

 

Antonio Brown just out there casually whipping his dick out in a public swimming pool...

 

Damn, what a perv.

 

I posted it a while back - The hit he took in the Bengals game to the noggin changed his career trajectory, and his personal life.

He might have always been extreme in his nature, but that head injury fucked him up for life.

 

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett will miss Sunday’s game in Atlanta after injuries sustained in a car accident this week.

The Browns announced today that Garrett won’t be traveling with the team to take on the Falcons.

Garrett suffered bicep and shoulder injuries when he flipped his Porsche this week. Police cited Garrett for failure to control his vehicle and said he was driving over the speed limit.

The Browns did not make any announcement about defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who is listed as questionable for the game, which indicates that he will make the trip to Atlanta and his game status will be decided after pregame warmups tomorrow.

Cleveland also signed tight end Miller Forristall to the active roster, making him eligible to play on Sunday.

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That theory has been put out there by more than a few people and I find it totally valid. Brown has always been a bit of a flake but he has trended down since then.

I see a Kellen Winslow Jr future for Brown and it makes me so sad to say that.

 

Brown definitely went down hill after that hit.

 

Cowboys likely to get two key offensive starters back vs. Commanders



The Dallas Cowboys offense could get a boost for Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Saturday that tight end Dalton Schultz is expected to play Sunday against Washington.

Schultz, 26, was listed as questionable with a PCL injury. He missed the Week 3 win over the New York Giants. Schultz caught 78 passes and eight touchdowns last season, and Dallas placed the franchise tag on him in the offseason.

Also expected back for the Cowboys is wide receiver Michael Gallup. Gallup, who tore his ACL last December, is expected to play in his first game this season Sunday against the Commanders. Gallup almost played last week against the Giants and was removed from the final injury report for Dallas.

This is good news for backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who is making his third consecutive start in place of injured Dak Prescott.

COMMANDERS WIRE

 

Cleveland Browns vs Atlanta Falcons Game Preview
Why Cleveland Browns Will Win
Wait, so is Jacoby Brissett the possible answer at quarterback?

That was floated out there by some this week, and …

No. Forgetting everything else, Deshaun Watson is the man when it’s time, but Brissett has been a wonderful surprise to go along with the incredible running game.

The Browns lead the NFL in rushing – they commit to it and keep hammering – and Atlanta has been just okay against the run. It got hammered by New Orleans and had problems against Seattle’s ground attack, and neither one have anything like the Browns are bringing.

And the Cleveland passing attack is doing its part, too, at least in the offensive scheme.

Why Atlanta Falcons Will Win
The Falcons are bringing a little bit for the ground attack, too.

Fifth in the NFL in yards, Marcus Mariota is making plays on the move, Cordarrelle Patterson has been a problem – he’s banged up, though – and this is where the injuries on the Cleveland defensive front might turn into a problem.

The Falcon passing attack hasn’t been able to get rolling, but Drake London looks like a star in the making, TE Kyle Pitts needs to be used even more, and …

What’s Going To Happen
Cleveland has been too efficient and too good at controlling games. It milks the clock, is among the best in the NFL at getting the defense off the field, and that will all come into play in this.

The Falcons won’t be able to get enough out of the passing game, and the Browns don’t turn it over enough.

CFN (college football news)

 

Hello there Ladies and Gentlemen... Good Morning. Enjoy your day!

 

Buccaneers expect Chris Godwin, Julio Jones to play tonight



The Buccaneers should have a full complement of wide receivers on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs.

Buccaneers wide receivers Chris Godwin and Julio Jones, both of whom missed last week’s loss to the Packers with injuries, are both expected back tonight, according to multiple reports. They’re listed as questionable on the injury report.


Mike Evans is also back tonight after he was suspended for last week’s game, so that’s the three top receivers in the Buccaneers’ offense all returning tonight.

The Buccaneers are one-point favorites over the Chiefs tonight.

PFT

 

Great News!

The Washington Commanders are expected to activate running back Brian Robinson off the team's reserve/non-football injury list early this week, sources say, paving the way for the rookie to return sooner rather than later.

While overall positive news, it doesn't necessarily mean Robinson will play in Week 5 against the Titans. There is also a chance Robinson practices this week but doesn't play, using it as a ramp-up period. He'll be evaluated at the end of the week to see his status.

Meanwhile, star pass rusher Chase Young, who is is currently on the reserve/physically unable to perform list while recovering from a torn ACL suffered during the 2021 season, is targeting a midseason return, sources say.

Robinson, the highly touted rookie who seemed in line to be the team's starting RB to open the season, is recovering from two gunshot wounds he suffered in late August. The Washington, D.C., Police Department said Robinson was the victim of an attempted armed robbery or carjacking.

Robinson was also fortunate as the two bullets went through his knee and missed all the major parts (ligaments, tendons, bone) and did not create massive damage. A source says Robinson's wounds have healed.

A third-round pick out of Alabama, Robinson did a simulated series this week with the strength and conditioning staff, mimicking what it will be like in an NFL game. He came out of it with positive reviews, sources said.

With Robinson recovering, Washington's starting RB this season has been Antonio Gibson, who's averaging just 3.1 yards per rush attempt.


Robinson's final check will be within the next 24 hours, which would clear him to be activated.

NFL.com

 

Cordarrelle Patterson will play in Atlanta, Jadeveon Clowney won’t



The Falcons will have their top running back in the lineup on Sunday.

Cordarrelle Patterson was listed as questionable to play against the Browns after missing a pair of practices with a knee injury, but he returned to practice on Friday and he avoided the inactive list ahead of the game. Patterson is third in the league with 302 rushing yards entering Sunday’s action.



Nick Chubb of the Browns leads the league in rushing and he will also be on the field in Atlanta. Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will not be joining his teammate, however. Cloweny will miss his second straight game with an ankle injury.

Myles Garrett is also out for Cleveland, which leaves Isaac Rochell and third-round pick Alex Wright to start for the Browns.

PFT

 

A bit of trivia since we have lots of musicians on board... Cheap Trick originally used "Hello There" because it's an on-the-fly soundcheck. It opens with four bars of just Rick Nielsen's guitar, then the other three each join one at a time after every four bars. It gives the guy on the mixing board a chance to make quick adjustments.

 

Good afternoon from rainy Strasbourg.