Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson during Training Camp on August 21, 2020 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — The rising star on the Steelers’ offense will be sidelined a bit due to a minor injury, Head Coach Mike Tomlin said Friday.
In Friday’s practice, wide receiver Diontae Johnson interacted with teammates and walked the field but didn’t practice. Coach Tomlin didn’t specify the severity of the hip injury he endured or the time he will be out. However, Tomlin mentioned that both Johnson and Terrell Edmunds will miss time. “There are couple of guys that missed today’s work, new guys with minor ailments that can be described as day-to-day.” Tomlin said. “That’s Diontae Johnson and T [Terrell] Edmunds. Hopefully, those guys get back to us really soon. Again, it could be described as day-to-day.”
Johnson is expected to see significant playing time this year. He impressed in his rookie (2019) season racking up 59 receptions, 680 yards and 5 touchdowns.
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.
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — The NFL season is fast approaching with players, coaches and personnel going through the motions of Training Camp in efforts of conditioning to have a robust (and safe) debut.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) trains at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Steelers’ wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster spoke to the media Monday about his chance to play with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger again. Smith-Schuster says he doesn’t anticipate any challenges with chemistry. However, the chance for rookies to get acclimated to Roethlisberger’s playing style is key for team success moving forward. “I think one thing we did before camp, we always threw with him, which was a good part,” Smith-Schuster said. “Having these young guys—that is the biggest part for us—the young guys trying to get used to him.”
Smith-Schuster also took to Twitter over the weekend to show chemistry between he and quarterback Roethlisberger. A connection the world hasn’t seen since “Big Ben” was sidelined with an elbow injury on his throwing arm in September 2019.
Monday marks the first time the team will practice in pads prior to the 2020 season. Head Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the media last week and says he realizes how protocol has been altered due to coronavirus concerns.
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin at Heinz Field during the Steelers 2020 Training Camp, Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
“We are willing to adjust based on what transpires between now and then.” And that is really our mentality about this next month or so. We realize there are certain boxes that need to be checked between now and when we step into a stadium, but we also realize that we might have to alter the pace of some of those intended plans based on the readiness.” — Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers
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.
PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh native and Emmy Winner Frzy shows his taste buds are as sharp as his lyrics in this episode of OGCooking.
CREDITS:
Host/Producer: Olga George
Instagram: @OGCooking
Twitter: @OGCooking
Photographer/Editor/Sound Tech: Brian Cook
Instagram: @Goldenskymedia
Twitter: @BCook1906
Production company: Golden Sky Media Website: www.goldenskymedia.com Facebook: @GoldenSkyMediaCompany
Frzy
Guest: Harvey Daniels AKA “Frzy” Twitter: @Frzy
Instagram: @Frzy
Facebook: @OfficialFrzy
Website: www.thefrzy.com
Special Thanks: Frzy, The Commoner, Chris Moore, Hair By Mel, YaJagoff! Media, Scott Hilty, and Alex Dando.
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.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick on December 29, 2019 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media, FILE)
PITTSBURGH (GSM) — The only hits currently being generated by the NFL are via the internet.
All-pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick is among the nearly 1,700 players in the National Football League who are eager to take the field in the 2020 season. However, with the uncertainty of whether a season will be played — in light of the COVID-19 pandemic — Fitpatrick spoke to the media (via Zoom) and his message to the fans was one of optimism.
“We appreciate all of the love and support they show us, previously and in the future,” Fitzpatrick said in his remarks Tuesday. He, along with his teammates, have been practicing social distancing during the pandemic but have been in close contact to help team chemistry from afar.
As far as the loyal Steeler fans who are anxious to watch football, Fitzpatrick added, “Whether there are no fans in the stadium or whether it’s going to be full, we’re going to have unwavering support and that is greatly appreciated and reflected in the way that we play.”
As the world sits, waiting for an outcome to the coronavirus, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement saying, “We will be prepared to make adjustments as necessary, as we have during this off-season in safely and efficiently conducting key activities such as free agency, the virtual off-season program, and the 2020 NFL draft.”
Steelers Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. (Marlon Martin / Golden Sky Media)
In the midst of waiting, Fitzpatrick knows there is no definitive answer to how the games will shape up, or if fans will be allowed in stadiums across the country, “Whether there is nobody in the stands or a full stadium, we’re going to give our best effort and make sure you guys are entertained and having a good time.“
The Steelers acquired Fitzpatrick in a week-3 trade with the Dolphins for a 2020 first round draft pick, a fifth rounder and a sixth round pick in 2021. He made a significant impact in the secondary immediately after joining the team.
He racked up 5 interceptions, 150 yards and 1 pick-six and became an instant fan favorite in the Steel City.
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.
Starling Marte, former centerfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates sins autographs for fans at PNC Park. (Brian Cook / Golden Sky Media, FILE)
(GSM) — Centerfielder Starling Marte may have left the Major League Baseball’s Pirates but he and his family are very much in the heart of Pittsburgh’ers.
On Monday, Marte took to social media informing the public that his wife passed away from a heart attack. Via Twitter, the Dominician-born baseball player wrote a heartfelt message — first in Spanish then in English — about the loss.
“I go through the pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack. It is a moment of great sorrow.” -Starling Marte via Twitter
Hoy paso por el gran dolor de informar el lamentable fallecimiento de mi esposa Noelia, a causa de un infarto. Es un momento de mucha tristeza.
I go through the pain of making public the unfortunate death of my wife Noelia, due to a heart attack. It is a moment of great sorrow. pic.twitter.com/UEP4k8dLBW
Marte, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, received an outpour of support from his team.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Noelia Marte. Starling and his family are part of the D-backs’ family and we will do all we can to support him and their children during this incredibly difficult time. https://t.co/t7Hbx4UTAX
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.
