Tag: Steelers vs. Bengals 2020

Steelers announce multiple roster moves ahead of Monday Night Football rumble

Pittsburgh made some roster moves ahead of the MNF matchup in Cincinnati.

With the offensive line decimated by injuries, the Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to make a few roster moves ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup in Cincinnati.

Guard Danny Isidora, signed from the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad last week, has been activated to the 53-man roster.

Isidora was a fifth-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and has played in 25 games (six starts) in four seasons.

Pittsburgh also elevated linebacker Tegray Scales to the active/inactive roster from the practice squad. Signed on Nov. 11, Scales was first elevated for the Buffalo Bills game, in which he played in three special teams snaps.

Tight end Kevin Rader was released but could be re-signed to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

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Steelers vs. Bengals injury update: RB James Conner OUT

James Conner (quad) will not play tonight versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

Steelers running back James Conner (quad), who has been limited in practice this week, was downgraded from questionable to out for their matchup in Cincinnati tonight. Conner sustained a quadricep injury in the Buffalo Bills game.

If the Steelers ground game is to get back on track, it’ll be up to Benny Snell, Jaylen Samuels and rookie Anthony McFarland.

Conner joins guard Kevin Dotson, who Pittsburgh announced on Saturday is out with a shoulder injury.

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Steelers vs. Bengals Week 15 injury report

Ben Roethlisberger and James Conner back at practice on Friday. Kevin Dotson’s shoulder injury has kept him out of practice this week.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was back at practice on Friday, along with running back James Conner (limited) and safety Sean Davis (full). Roethlisberger sat out Thursday’s practice with a non-injury related designation. Conner has been dealing with a quad injury that he sustained in the Buffalo Bills game.

Guard Kevin Dotson exited the Bills game with a shoulder injury and has not practiced this week.

It appears that cornerback Joe Haden (concussion) is on track to play in Cincinnati on Monday night.

The full injury report from Steelers.com is below.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Friday, December 18
QB Ben Roethlisberger (NIR) – Full
S Sean Davis (Illness) – Full
CB Joe Haden (Concussion) – Full
RB James Conner (Quadriceps) – Limited
OL Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) – DNP

Thursday, December 17
QB Ben Roethlisberger (NIR) – DNP
S Sean Davis (Illness) – DNP
CB Joe Haden (Concussion) – Full
RB James Conner (Quadriceps) – DNP
OL Kevin Dotson (Shoulder) – DNP

Cincinnati Bengals 

Friday, December 18
QB Brandon Allen (Knee) – DNP
LB Logan Wilson (Ankle) – DNP
S Brandon Wilson (Hamstring) – Limited
DT Mike Daniels (NIR – Rest) – Full
WR A.J. Green (NIR – Rest) – Full
OT Bobby Hart (Back) – Full
G Xavier Su’a-Filo (Finger) – Full

Thursday, December 17
QB Brandon Allen (Knee) – DNP
DT Mike Daniels (NIR – Rest) – DNP
WR A.J. Green (NIR – Rest) – DNP
LB Logan Wilson (Ankle) – DNP
S Brandon Wilson (Hamstring) – Limited
OT Bobby Hart (Back) – Limited
G Xavier Su’a-Filo (Finger) – Full

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Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: ‘It’s about sharpening our sword for the battle that lies ahead’

Even subpar talent is going to produce their very best versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the fifth divisional game of the season, the Steelers look to secure the AFC North title with a win in Cincinnati.

“We’re back in the AFC North, divisional play. If you want to dominate the NFL and be one of the teams in contention to dominate the NFL, it starts first and foremost with divisional play,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference.

“It’s about sharpening our sword for the battle that lies ahead. We expect to get the very best from Cincinnati.”

While the Steelers didn’t get the very best from the Bengals in Week 10, the Steelers are a far different team than five weeks ago. And as we’ve seen from teams like the Dallas Cowboys in Week 9 and the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in Week 12, even subpar talent will produce their very best versus the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Ben Roethlisberger proves doubters wrong with 4-touchdown performance

Big Ben is starting to click with his group of young, talented receivers.

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In a season where questions abounded whether he had “it” anymore, Ben Roethlisberger is proving doubters wrong.

Big Ben has guided his team to an unbeaten 9-0 record with a four-touchdown, 333-yard performance versus the Cincinnati Bengals.

You would have to go back to two seasons ago, Week 9 versus the Carolina Panthers, to find a better performance by Roethlisberger. On that day, he threw for 328 yards and five touchdowns.

In Pittsburgh’s 36-10 victory over the Bengals, Roethlisberger spread the ball around to seven different receivers, three of whom found paydirt. Rookie receiver Chase Claypool enjoyed his third multi-touchdown game of the season with two scores. Diontae Johnson and JuJu Smith-Schuster both pitched in with one apiece.

2020 is the first season with this group of talented, young receivers, and it appears as if everything is starting to click.

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Steelers need to be on high-alert with Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow

Pittsburgh needs to be ready for Cinci’s record-setting rookie QB.

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are due to face one of the best quarterbacks of their schedule in rookie Joe Burrow.

“He’s as good as advertised,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “His physical talents are one thing, and they are rock-solid. This guy can make every throw, his accuracy his exceptional.”

Though the Bengals sit at 2-5-1 and last in the AFC North, Burrow enjoys a record-setting season. In eight games, the rookie is 221-for-330 (67 percent) with 2,272 yards passing (eighth-most in the NFL), 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Not only is Burrow the top-ranked rookie quarterback, he’s the top-ranked overall player of the 2020 NFL draft class.

According to the Pro Football Focus QB position grades, Burrow is the highest-ranked quarterback in the AFC North. He’s ranked two spots (13) above Ben Roethlisberger (15).

Tomlin also noted Burrow’s mobility factor, of which the Steelers should anticipate the Bengals taking full advantage. Burrow has rushed for 130 yards and three scores. “His mobility is really underrated,” said Tomlin. “He’s an easy mover who can escape and create. They also have some designed quarterback runs that are challenging in the red zone.”

To Pittsburgh’s benefit, however, Cincinnati’s offensive line is porous and ranked at 31. They’ve allowed Burrow to be sacked 28 times — tied for second-most with New York Giants’ Daniel Jones. The rookie has also fumbled eight times and lost three.

Both the Steelers’ pass-rush and coverage units had better be on high-alert on Sunday.

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