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The “Duck” Will Lead the Flock Against the Browns

Pittsburgh Steelers​ undrafted quarterback Devlin Hodges puts on his helmet moments before going into the game against the Ravens, following a vicious hit which left starter Mason Rudolph unconscious. He went 7-9 for 68 yards on October 6, 2019 at Heinz Field. (Brian Cook​ / Golden Sky Media Company)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — It’s official! Devlin “Duck” Hodges will be the starting at quarterback this week. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made the official announcement during his weekly press conference Tuesday.

“We met as a staff, we’ve decided that we’re going to start Duck this week.” Tomlin said. “I’m hopeful that he’s capable of continuing to provide that spark as we step into this stadium.” Tomlin echoed his statement following the (16-10) win against Cincinnati where Mason Rudolph was benched in the second half. Following the game, Tomlin said, “Mason wasn’t doing enough.” At that point, it is suspected that the decision was already made to start Hodges in the following game.

When Hodges saw action so far this season, he completed 67.5% of his passes for 318 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The last time he started a game was week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers — on the road — and came away with a 24-17 win.

The undrafted QB, out of Samford University, found a solid place on the active roster during week 1 of the 2019 NFL season after the season ending injury to Ben Roethlisberger. 

BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
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The Steelers Add Another Win to the Column; Stay Alive in Playoff Hunt

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin smiles during practice at the team’s facility on Pittsburgh’s South Side. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

(GSM) – The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10 Sunday in a game that was surprisingly tight. Coach Mike Tomlin benched embattled quarterback Mason Rudolph in the second half after a tough showing on offense. He completed 50% of his passes going 8/16, 85 yards, no touchdowns and 1 interception. Tomlin, said making the change to backup Devlin Hodges was a no-brainer, “I just felt like our offense needed a spark. Just felt like Mason wasn’t doing enough.” Tomlin said. “But I like the contributions of “Duck;” [Hodges]. I like his readiness. I appreciate the efforts of Mason and also appreciate the support of Mason after we made the change. That’s how we get down.”

Pittsburgh Steelers​ undrafted quarterback Devlin Hodges. (Brian Cook​ / Golden Sky Media Company)

Devlin Hodges, humbled with his approach says he just wants to win games for the team no matter who is in the game. “I didn’t think the third play I was in that I’d be throwing a 79-yard touchdown pass, but if I could go back and do it again, it would be pretty cool.”

The Steelers will host the Cleveland Browns for the first time since the melee that took place where several players got into a fight. The Browns will be without defensive end Myles Garrett who is suspended for the season after hitting Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph with his own helmet. Also, defensive Tackle Larry Ogunjobi will also miss action due to suspension. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey, also forced to sit out due to his part in the altercation. Nonetheless, Sunday’s matchup is expected to be hard hitting and full of bad feelings as this AFC North rivalry continues to be one to watch.

Pittsburgh is currently the 6th seed in the hunt for the post-season with a record of 6-5 and are in second place in the AFC North behind the Baltimore Ravens.

BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
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Tomlin ‘Smiles in the Face of Adversity’ as Steelers Tackle Myriad of Injuries

Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin during the matchup against the Cleveland Browns. October 28, 2018 (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media, FILE)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that injuries are a part of the game. The realization of adjusting for the sudden — and always unexpected — changes in personnel can throw off team chemistry. However, Coach Tomlin has preached the, “next man up” approach on the journey to success as his team continues to heal.

Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the Steelers lost starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for the season due to an elbow injury on his throwing arm which required surgery. Starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt is out for the year with a pectoral tear, free safety Sean Davis was put on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, fullback Roosevelt Nix is also on IR with a knee ailment and kick returner/WR Ryan Switzer’s back will keep him from seeing action. Running back James Conner has missed significant time on the field as well when he re-aggravated his shoulder. Most recently, wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson in addition to linebacker Ola Adeniyi succumbed to concussions in the game against the Browns last Thursday night, just to name a few. Quite a few, actually.

While the team has seen its fair share of fallen players, Tomlin said in his weekly press conference Tuesday, “I don’t spend a lot of time crying over who’s available or who’s not available. It’s as much a part of the game as blocking or tackling,” Tomlin said. “If you are a competitor — like we as coaches are competitors — that fires you up. You want to smile in the face of adversity.” 

The Steelers will play on the road Sunday Nov. 24 against the winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-10), a team that would love to get a win against the Pittsburgh. The Steelers (5-5) are still mathematically alive in the playoff hunt and in 2nd place in the AFC North division.

BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
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Two Starting Wideouts in Steelers’ Concussion Protocol

Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (18) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) share a moment on the sideline after Johnson’s 45-yard touchdown reception against the Miami Dolphins on October 28, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)

PITTSBURGH (GSM) — Banged up wideouts JuJu Smith-Schuster and Diontae Johnson are added to the list of starters who have temporarily fallen victim to injuries. 

In the game against the Cleveland Browns Thursday, both standouts left the game with concussions and as of Monday, were still in concussion protocol. Neither were available for interviews.

JuJu Smith-Schuster left the game after suffering a helmet-to-helmet hit. In the second quarter, 2 defenders, [former Steeler] Morgan Burnett and Greedy Williams made contact with both sides of Smith-Schuster’s helmet, on the same play, leaving him motionless on the field. He was later able to walk off the field on his own.

Smith-Schuster took to his Twitter account to thank those who were supportive following his injury:

As for Diontae Johnson, Browns safety Damarious Randall lowered his head and collided in the third quarter with Johnson after a helmet-to-helmet hit, leaving him wincing in pain. Johnson started bleeding from his ear shortly thereafter. The hit prompted an immediate ejection of Randall.

The Steelers announced the signings of two receivers, Quadree Henderson and Amara Darboh, Thursday in addition to additional roster moves.

In a statement from the Steelers:

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed wide receiver Deon Cain and running back Kerrith Whyte Jr. to the 53-man roster, it was announced today. To make room on the 53-man roster, the Steelers released linebacker Jayrone Elliott and running back Tony Brooks-James.”

 

BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
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BREAKING: Suspensions, Fines Handed Down Following Steelers Browns Fight

Screenshot of the fight between the Steelers and Browns on November 14, 2019 in Cleveland. (Courtesy: FOX)

(GSM) — Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has been suspended without salary for the remainder of the 2019 NFL season following an altercation with Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. 

The incident took place in Cleveland during the Thursday night matchup with 8-seconds left to play in the game where Garrett forcibly removed Rudolph’s helmet and hit him over the head with it. Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey proceeded to throw punches, striking Garrett several times prior to kicking him while on the ground.


The National Football League hit both the Steelers and Browns with stiff financial penalties and said in a statement, “The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns organizations have each been fined $250,000 and three players – Cleveland’s MYLES GARRETT and LARRY OGUNJOBI, and Pittsburgh’s MAURKICE POUNCEY – have been suspended without pay for their actions in Thursday night’s game,” The statement read. “Garrett has been suspended without pay indefinitely – at a minimum for the remainder of the regular season and postseason – and must meet with the commissioner’s office prior to a decision on his reinstatement.  He was also fined an additional amount.  Garrett violated unnecessary roughness and unsportsmanlike conduct rules, as well as fighting, removing the helmet of an opponent and using the helmet as a weapon.”

Art Rooney II, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers released a statement on the incident:

“As an organization, we are disappointed with what occurred last night near the end of our game against the Cleveland Browns. The actions of the players involved were not something that should be part of any football game. Our players, coaches and everyone in the Steelers organization understand that we must always maintain composure, no matter what happens. After a hard-fought game between two rivals, it is a shame that the game ended that way.”

The Cleveland Browns also commented publicly about what transpired Thursday night via owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam: 

“We are extremely disappointed in what transpired last evening at the end of our game. There is no place for that in football and that is not reflective of the core values we strive for as an organization. We sincerely apologize to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Myles Garrett has been a good teammate and member of our organization and community for the last three years but his actions last night were completely unacceptable. We understand the consequences from the league for his actions.”

BRIAN COOK IS AN EMMY-NOMINATED INTERNATIONAL JOURNALIST WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SINCE 2005. HE CAN BE REACHED AT BCOOK@GOLDENSKYMEDIA.COM.
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER