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Steelers

Pickens staying in lineup

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin believes second-year wide receiver George Pickens’ growth off the field remains a work in progress but will not bench Pickens on Saturday when Cincinnati visits. Pickens has drawn scrutiny outside the organization for his lack of hustle of late, particularly in a loss to Indianapolis last weekend in which replays caught him declining to block downfield for teammate Jaylen Warren and jogging after an Indianapolis interception rather than attempting to make a tackle. Pickens dismissed the criticism, saying it’s coming from people ...

Rudolph’s story of perseverance takes big turn

By Will Graves The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — For a guy who’s played in all of 18 games across six seasons, Mason Rudolph has been through a lot. Like, a lot a lot. A franchise quarterback who didn’t exactly welcome him to the Pittsburgh Steelers with open arms after the club selected Rudolph in the third round of the 2018 draft. Being caught in the middle of an ugly helmet-swinging incident with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett in 2019 that remains one of the darkest chapters in recent NFL history. Getting benched for an undrafted rookie free agent. Finishing a distant ...

Pickens dismisses outside criticism

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens hears the outside criticism about his hustle. More specifically his lack of hustle. He could not care less. “The people that are questioning my effort, they don’t play football,” Pickens told reporters Tuesday. “They do what y’all do.” Pickens has come under scrutiny of late, even from coach Mike Tomlin, for questionable decision-making at times. The latest examples came during Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on Saturday. The second-year player neglected to block downfield on a run by teammate ...

Tomlin asks Rudolph to guide his team

By Will Graves The Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are turning to Mason Rudolph at quarterback in hopes of salvaging their season. Coach Mike Tomlin said Monday that Rudolph, a six-year veteran who hasn’t started a meaningful game since 2021, will start on ...

S Kazee done for season

NFL suspends him for his illegal hit The Associated Press NEW YORK — The NFL suspended Pittsburgh Steelers safety Damontae Kazee without pay for the remainder of the season for what the league described as “repeated violations” of rules designed to protect player safety. The ruling, issued by NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan on Monday, means Kazee will miss Pittsburgh’s final three regular-season games and any potential playoff games if the Steelers (7-7) advance to the postseason. Kazee was ejected from Pittsburgh’s 30-13 loss to Indianapolis on ...

Slump hasn’t shaken Tomlin’s confidence

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin’s confidence is unshakeable. Just ask him. “Fifty-one years of life, man, most of which have been in football, that’s probably what gives me confidence,” the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers coach said Monday. “But I can’t necessarily transfer that to others.” Too bad. A transfusion might be necessary. There have been late-season fades during Tomlin’s 17 years on the sideline, just as there have been late-season surges. This swoon, however, feels different. It certainly looks different, with Pittsburgh getting outcoached and outplayed not ...