Tag: Steelers

Justin Fields reveals Chargers had interest in trading for him

The Chargers’ quarterback room could’ve looked a little different right now.

The Chargers’ quarterback room could’ve looked a little different right now.

On an episode of Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast, Justin Fields spoke out about the teams that were interested in acquiring him this past offseason before the Steelers.

Los Angeles was among the crop.

I’m not sure of all the teams, but there were a lot of teams that already had solidified quarterbacks and I didn’t want to do that. Chargers were one, Ravens were another. Raiders, they talked a little bit. I don’t know too much. Who else was in there I don’t know, but a lot of teams had solidified quarterbacks who just got new contracts so I didn’t want to be there.

Fields landed in Pittsburgh in exchange for a conditional 2025 second-round pick.

Yes, the former first-round pick would’ve been a nice addition, but it wouldn’t have been worth giving up that high value of draft capital for only a backup job.

To fill out the positional room behind Herbert, Los Angeles re-signed Easton Stick and traded for Taylor Heinicke ahead of the regular season.

After a rough start with the Bears, Fields seems to have found the perfect home. He’s completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 90 yards and one score.

Chargers’ Derwin James Jr. suspended 1 game for helmet-to-helmet collision

Chargers star Derwin James has been suspended 1 game for a helmet-to-helmet hit in Week 3. As expected, the safety will appeal the ruling.

Chargers star safety Derwin James’ physicality was on full display on Sunday against the Steelers. Unfortunately, it was a bit too much for the NFL’s liking. James was penalized for unnecessary roughness amidst the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers for a hit on tight end Pat Freiermuth.

On Monday, the league escalated the situation and suspended James for one game without pay for repeatedly violating player safety rules. The 15-yard penalty was one of several costly second-half flags from the Chargers, which the players discussed after the game.

The three-time Pro Bowler has become one of the hardest hitters in the NFL, but the league has tightened up on these plays. Freiermuth has dealt with several concussions in his young career, and the hit was a direct risk to another one.

The ruling shows how much the league has changed over the last 10 years. They’ve made it a point of emphasis to prioritize player safety, and rightfully so. Unfortunately, though, a lot of the physicality in the game has been eliminated.

The suspension sends a clear message to the rest of the league for the 2024 season. In an official statement, NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan mentioned James “lowered his head and made forcible contact with his helmet against an opponent.”

As expected, James will appeal the league’s ruling. After all of the injuries the Chargers sustained on Sunday, this is the last bit of news that they needed. If and when James does miss a game, it will be a huge loss.

Through three weeks, James has been elite in defending the run. He’s been a vital part of the defense turning things around in Los Angeles. Most importantly, James has been able to stay healthy so far this season. We’ll see if the league overturns its ruling, but based on the official statement, that seems unlikely.

Chargers stars acknowledge costly second-half penalties as major reason for Week 3 loss

The Chargers’ costly second half penalties killed a lot of the team’s momentum. It led to their first loss of the 2024 season.

Things were looking good for the Chargers on Sunday when they took the lead into halftime against the Steelers. Unfortunately, all things went south in the second half.

Injuries were a huge reason for that, particularly Justin Herbert’s re-aggravation of his ongoing ankle issue. The players and coaching staff aren’t using that as an excuse, though. After their first loss of the season, several players acknowledged the second-half penalties as a momentum killer.

“That was the name of the game. We did a lot of shooting ourselves in the foot out there,” Khalil Mack said.

Mack was called for a roughing the passer penalty in the second half, which still seems questionable. One could argue that Mack was blocked and even pushed into Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, but it was a call that pushed Pittsburgh further down the field.

Safety Derwin James, who had a stellar game, acknowledged the Chargers’ need to play clean moving forward. After their stellar opening 30 minutes, they were never able to sustain any sort of momentum in the second half.

“We just got to play clean,” James said. “I got to look at some of mine, I didn’t get to look at them. But just play clean football, I had one of them, a big one.”

He later added: “I’m not here to referee. I’m playing fast, I’m not thinking about no flag.”

Penalties, albeit a few questionable calls from the referees, set the team back several times. For a team that prioritizes discipline under Jim Harbaugh, it was disappointing to see in those final 30 minutes. Ultimately, it was all too much to overcome at Acrisure Stadium.

The Chargers finished the game with seven penalties for 69 yards, a stark contrast to the Steelers’ three flags for just 15 yards. If Los Angeles wants any chance against the Chiefs in Week 4, they must clean things up in that department.

Chargers PFF grades: Best, worst performers in Week 3 loss to Steelers

Find out who Pro Football Focus tabbed as their winners and losers from the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers.

In Week 3, the Chargers came up short to the Steelers, 20-10.

Things were looking good for Los Angeles, who went to halftime with the lead. But they got hit with the injury bug in the third quarter, losing Rashawn Slater and Justin Herbert, and eventually just ran out of steam.

With that being said, here are the best and worst performers from Sunday’s game, according to Pro Football Focus’ player grades.

Top 5 Offense

WR Ladd McConkey — 71.3

TE Will Dissly — 69.1

OL Zion Johnson — 68.1

OL Jamaree Salyer — 67.3

WR Quentin Johnston — 66.2

Top 5 Defense

EDGE Khalil Mack — 82.2

CB Kristian Fulton — 74.0

LB Denzel Perryman — 63.6

DL Morgan Fox — 63.3

LB Daiyan Henley — 62.7

Bottom 5 Offense

OT Trey Pipkins — 46.2

OL Bradley Bozeman — 49.4

FB Scott Matlock — 49.5

RB J.K. Dobbins — 49.8

TE Hayden Hurst — 50.1

Bottom 5 Defense

S Elijah Molden — 29.5

DL Otito Ogbonnia — 38.6

LB Bud Dupree — 41.0

DL Scott Matlock — 42.1

DL Teair Tart — 47.8

Falcons may be without starting OL Kaleb McGary, Drew Dalman vs. Saints

The Falcons could be without starting right tackle Kaleb McGary and center Drew Dalman for their Week 4 matchup with the Saints:

A couple of key Atlanta Falcons offensive linemen could miss Week 4’s game with the New Orleans Saints. Right tackle Kaleb McGary went down in Week 3’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs with what is believed to  be  a sprained MCL, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The severity of that knee injury is to be determined, but McGary’s status for next week’s game against the Saints is very much in doubt.

That’s also true of Falcons center Drew Dalman, who Rapoport reports is going to miss some time with a high-ankle sprain. So that’s two starters down from an offensive line tasked with protecting Kirk Cousins, one of the least-mobile quarterbacks in the NFL this year. Who could replace them?

Backup tackle Elijah Wilkinson filled in for McGary on the right side in Sunday night’s loss, however McGary is a premier player and will most definitely be missed if he ends up sitting out on a few games. So far this season he only allowed one sack and five pressures with no penalties against him, which is pretty impressive given he played against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles.

As for the center? It was Ryan Neuzil stepping in for Dalman. The fourth-year pro has only started four games at the NFL level, so that could be a matchup Bryan Bresee and the Saints’ interior rotation can take advantage of. The Falcons will be hoping to lean on Bijan Robinson just like the Eagles relied on Saquon Barkley against thee Saints, so it’s vital that Dennis Allen’s defensive line win their battles up front, no matter who is in front of them.

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Social media reacts to Chargers’ loss to Steelers

Here is how the general population reacted to the Chargers’ loss to the Steelers.

The Chargers lost to the Steelers in a game that saw them lose a few key players to injuries.

The Bolts are now 2-1.

Here’s how social media reacted to the Week 3 game:

Everything to know from Chargers’ loss to Steelers

Here’s our recap of the Chargers’ 20-10 loss to the Steelers.

The Chargers suffered their first loss of the season, falling short to the Steelers, 20-10.

Here’s our recap of the Week 3 loss.

It was over when…

Justin Fields connected with Calvin Austin for a 55-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 10.

3 stars of the game

  1. WR Quentin Johnston: Johnston picked up his third touchdown of the season.
  2. QB Justin Herbert: Before Herbert got hurt and left the game with his ankle injury, he was playing well.
  3. S Derwin James: James was flying around the field. He made some jarring hits and had a sack.

Quick hits

  • It’s difficult to overcome injuries to key players, and the Chargers couldn’t do that after losing Herbert and Rashawn Slater. Once Slater left the game with a pectoral injury, the pass protection was nonexistent as T.J. Watt and company had their way. Taylor Heinicke was sacked three times, which came on the final two possessions.
  • Joe Alt struggled against Watt before he went out of the game with an ankle injury.
  • The Chargers had no success running the football against the stout Steelers front. J.K. Dobbins averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on 15 rushes.
  • Johnston picked up where he left off last weekend, finding the end zone for the second consecutive week. He surpassed the number of touchdowns he had in his rookie season.
  • After allowing only 112 yards in the first half and picking off Justin Fields halfway through the third quarter, the defense crumbled afterward. They were gassed by how long they had been on the field. The backbreaker was Fields’ 55-yard touchdown pass to Austin in the fourth quarter.

What’s next?

The Chargers are back home to take on the Chiefs (2-0) next Sunday, Sept. 29, at 1:25 p.m. PT.

Chargers highlight: Bud Dupree makes tip drill interception

Justin Fields has turned the ball over for the first time this season.

Justin Fields has turned the ball over for the first time this season.

After the Steelers took over on the Chargers 41 yard line following a short punt by JK Scott and penalty on cornerback Deane Leonard, Fields dropped back on first and 10 to start the Steelers drive. He scanned the field and looked for a sit route on the left side, a play that Pittsburgh had run with great success so far in the game.

Linebacker Daiyan Henley was there this time, however, and his arrival to the ball popped the pass into the air. Steelers running back Najee Harris leaped up to try to make the catch with two Chargers defenders in the area, tipping the ball into the air further. Eventually, the ball landed in the arms of Bud Dupree, who was in the game to replace an injured Joey Bosa.

Dupree was tackled soon after the interception on the Chargers 34. Los Angeles went three and out on the ensuing drive after Justin Herbert was sacked on first down.

https://x.com/chargers/status/1837927951565766656

Alex Highsmith doubtful to return with groin injury

Alex Highsmith injured his groin towards the end of the first half, and he is now deemed doubtful to return.

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith was injured just as he nearly recorded a drive-ending sack on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert with a little over one minute remaining.  Herbert scrambled away and threw for a first down, but when the dust settled, Highsmith was headed for the medical tent.

This isn’t the kind of body language you would expect out of a player attempting to rejoin the game, and we now know the reason why: Highsmith was deemed doubtful to return.

https://twitter.com/SteelersPRBurt/status/1837918416247636040

Injuries are utterly devastating the Pittsburgh Steelers three weeks into the regular season.  Alex Highsmith is a pivotal piece in the dynamic edge rushing duo with T.J. Watt, and now it will be up to second-year player Nick Herbig to shoulder the privilege of sacking the quarterback.

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Steelers have only 3 active receivers after Van Jefferson questionable with an eye injury

Van Jefferson was pulled out of the game in Week 3 with an eye injury, leaving the Steelers with only three active wide receivers.

As if Pittsburgh Steelers’ injury concerns couldn’t get any worse, wide receiver Van Jefferson has been pulled from the game with an eye injury and is questionable to return.

This comes after rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson was deemed inactive to start the Week 3 game, leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers with only three wide receivers active for the game: George Pickens, Calvin Austin, and Scotty Miller. So far we have seen Miller more involved in the offense.

 

The last thing the Steelers needed was more potential problems on the offensive side of the ball.  It is safe to say that the Pittsburgh Steelers will continue to run the ball, focus on heavy-TE sets, utilize pass-catching RB/WR hybrid Cordarrelle Patterson, and use more quarterback designed runs to mitigate this depth issue.