Tag: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. New York Giants: Week 1 injury report

The Steelers released the Week 1 injury report on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers released their Week 1 injury report for the “Monday Night Football” matchup versus the New York Giants.

As expected, right guard David DeCastro, who has been nursing a knee injury since the end of August, is out.

Of course, it’s never good to have a veteran Pro Bowler miss a game; however, considering the rash of injuries league-wide — some season-ending — the Steelers are lucky.

Offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski, signed to the team in the offseason, will start in DeCastro’s place. Wisniewski came into Pittsburgh to compete for a starting position but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his opportunity was diminished. DeCastro hasn’t practiced in two weeks, so Wisniewski has done some solid work in anticipation of his first start with the Steelers.

“I have learned in my years in the NFL be ready for anything,” Wisniewski told Steelers.com‘s Teresa Varley during training camp. “I am capable of being a starter in this league. I think I have proven that.”

Experience is not a problem for the 10-year lineman. The Pittsburgh-area native won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. Wisniewski also spent time with the Los Angeles Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Game status
G David DeCastro (knee) – Out

New York Giants

Game status 
LB Tae Crowder (hamstring) – Questionable
WR Golden Tate (hamstring) – Questionable
TE Levine Toilolo (hamstring) – Questionable

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Steelers officially name Zach Banner starting right tackle for Week 1

After an intense training camp battle that came down to the wire, the Steelers named Zach Banner starter.

Zach Banner will no longer just be an “eligible receiver.” On Wednesday, Tomlin officially named Banner the Week 1 starter at right tackle with six days left to kick off on Monday. The 6’8 offensive tackle appeared in 14 games last season with one start.

Right tackle was one of the few true position battles Pittsburgh had to assess in training camp, and their ultimate decision came down to the wire.

Banner is elated to have earned a solidified spot on the roster. “I’m extremely grateful that I am not a bubble roster guy anymore. I am going to be on the 53,” Banner told the media last week. “I’m not going to be in a hotel waiting for my phone to ring. I’m not saying that is what I’m settling at. I want to be great. I want to play; I do want to be a starter. I am extremely competitive. I can’t make that decision; I can only go out and put it on film.”

That competitiveness will be truly tested Week 1 and beyond, as head coach Mike Tomlin alluded that the starter could change weekly based on the matchup at hand. Nothing like the challenge of needing to prove your worth weekly to bring out the best in a player.

The Steelers have a long season ahead of them, and player personnel adjustments will be made, likely more this season than any other. Especially without preseason games, the first few games are going to reveal a lot about who can hold their own when the going gets tough.

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Steelers practice squad 2020: 4 players the Steelers protected on practice squad for Week 1

A new concept for the 2020 season is the “protected” practice squad. Here are the four players the Steelers chose to protect.

For Week 1, the Steelers have chosen to protect linebacker Jayrone Elliott, defensive end Henry Mondeaux, safety Curtis Riley and running back Wendell Smallwood. These four are not eligible to sign with another team until after Sunday’s game.

Practice squad “protection” is a new concept for the 2020 season. It was put into place to allow teams more flexibility due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

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Teams can designate protected players each Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m., except for clubs that played on the previous Monday night; their designations go into effect prior to 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The Steelers kick off their 2020 season Monday, Sept. 14 versus the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

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