Teresa Varley

Wednesday, October 29

Execution is the key:Receiver DK Metcalf has seen what the Steelers offense can do this season, and knows there are just a few things that need tweaked to get back to that.

One of them being execution.

"We've just got to execute better and play 60 minutes of football," said Metcalf.

That feeling came after watching the tape from Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers. The offense was only able to get into the red zone once, resulting in a touchdown.

"The problem is getting to the red zone," said Metcalf. "Once we got to red zone, we've been able to score points. So, just being able to sustain drives and not being sporadic with the playmaking that we have or the execution that we had on offense.

"I'm a firm believer in the defense has to stop us. We can't stop ourselves. They've got to line up. They don't know our routes. They don't know our plays. We've just got to execute them better."

The solution in Metcalf's mind to executing happens during the week of preparation.

"It starts in walkthrough," said Metcalf. "Paying attention in meetings. Making sure we're all on the same page. Any questions that you have before game day, making sure those get answered so when you get out there, you're not thinking. When you play, it's just reaction."

Following the loss to the Packers, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward said, 'you have to handle adversity better.'

Metcalf said he doesn't see it as an issue.

"I don't think we've had trouble with sustaining through adversity because we've done it a number of weeks throughout the first half of the season," said Metcalf. "I think it's just playing clean football for 60 minutes and playing our brand of football."

All together now:Cornerback Darius Slay knows there is more the defense can do after giving up 400 plus total yards in each of the last two games.

Now, it's just a matter of going out this week against the Indianapolis Colts and doing it.

"Try your best to keep working," said Slay. "We've got a lot of games left, so it's a great opportunity. We're still in a good spot. We've just got to play better."

What needs to be done to turn things around? Slay said it's about playing together.

"We've just got to play ball all together," said Slay. "That's all I see. Just play on one string. Everybody try to see it the best way they can, the same, so we can all play the same.

"We're just trying to get to know each other, play a little more. We've just got to put it together as one group. We're having some successful plays, we got to sustain them, keep them going and keep the fire going."

Slay admits he need to do more on his end as well.

"I always can play better," said Slay. "I haven't been playing the best, but I've been playing decent. I've got to play better. I know I've got a lot left.

"I'm making some plays, but I've just got to be way more consistent in the overall game."

Happy to be back:Cornerback Cory Trice Jr. was all smiles after practice on Wednesday after his 21-day window to potentially return from the Reserve/Injured List was activated.

"I feel good," said Trice. "I've been working for a long time. It feels good, though.

"I'm feeling good, feeling good.

"Any time I step on that field, I've got to be ready because the offense doesn't care about me. So, I've got always make sure I'm myself."

Trice has been out since training camp, missing the daily grind with his teammates.

"I missed it a lot," said Trice. "I missed the preparation. I missed getting ready for practice and just being able to go out there and perform and execute with my guys that I've been grinding with.

"So, definitely a blessing."

Trice has spent time on the Reserve/Injured List in each of the last three seasons, something that hasn't been easy.

"It's definitely frustrating," said Trice. "I feel like I put in all the work. I give the game everything I've got. I feel that I do right by the game, even when nobody's watching.

"When stuff like that happens, I just know I put my best foot forward, so I can't be too mad. I know I did everything I could. It was just one of those things.

"But I'm going to make sure I come on top every time."

Trice is hoping all of the injuries are behind him and he is headed in the right direction.

"I think I'm in the perfect spot right now," said Trice. "Whenever I'm out there, I'm there to make plays.

"It's me being myself. I have to go out there and execute the plays. Come out there with some juice. Come out there and execute and have fun with the guys.

"For real, I'm excited."

Making moves:The Steelers signed offensive lineman Jack Driscoll, safety Darrick Forrest and receiver John Rhys Plumlee to the practice squad.

Driscoll was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He spent five seasons with the Eagles, appearing in 67 games, starting 18.

Driscoll played college football at Auburn, where he appeared in 25 games over two seasons. Prior to his time at Auburn, he spent two seasons at Massachusetts where he appeared in 22 games.

Forrest was originally drafted by the Washington Commanders in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the 163rd overall pick.

He appeared in 40 games for the Commanders, starting 17. He recorded 126 tackles, 78 of them solo stops, nine passes defensed, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, one tackle for a loss and one fumble recovery. He also added 11 special teams tackles.

Forrest spent time with the Indianapolis Colts this season as well.

He played college football at the University of Cincinnati, where he appeared in 49 games, starting 36. He had 165 tackles, 126 of them solo stops, and four and a half tackles for a loss.

Plumlee originally signed with the Steelers as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars.

Plumlee played college football at Central Florida where he appeared in 52 career games, starting 33. At the quarterback position, Plumlee completed 464 of 760 passes for 5,838 yards and 34 touchdowns. As a receiver, he had 26 receptions for 296 yards.

In 2023 he completed 161 of 256 passes for 2,271 yards and 15 touchdowns at Central Florida, after beginning his college career at Mississippi, where he played in 29 games, starting 10.

On Tuesday, the Steelers waived running back Raheem Blackshear and linebacker Jacoby Windmon from the practice squad.

Eligibility extended:"No. 74 is eligible" took on new meaning against Green Bay when offensive lineman Spencer Anderson wasn't just announced as eligible to catch a pass, he actually caught one.

That moment in the first quarter, the Steelers' second offensive snap, has been recorded for posterity on the official game sheet handed out in the press box on Sunday night: "2-7-PIT 23 (12:41) S. Anderson reported as eligible. A Rodgers pass short left to S. Anderson to PIT 27 for 4 yards (I. McDuffie; D. Wyatt)."

An occasion to remember, and perhaps to build upon for Anderson and the Steelers.

"I guess teams have to respect it," he said. "I don't know, we'll see. I think once you see an O-lineman catching a ball it's kinda like, 'OK, now we have to respect the passing aspect to it.' Obviously, when I come in teams are probably thinking 100-percent run. Now, 'We have to be ready for the pass.'

"I think it adds a good wrinkle to our offense."

Anderson might be in line for more than his periodic "No. 74 is eligible" role when the Steelers host the Colts on Sunday night at Acrisure Stadium.

Left guard Isaac Seumalo (pec) was "characterized as questionable" on Tuesday by head coach Mike Tomlin. Anderson replaced Seumalo for the balance of the game in the third quarter of the Steelers' 35-25 loss to the Packers.

"I think Isaac's doing pretty good," Anderson said. "And if he's not, we'll see. Just like how it was in the preseason (when Seumalo often wasn't practicing), the line was me, (right tackle) Troy (Fautanu), (center) Zach (Frazier), (right guard) Mason (McCormick) and 'Brod' (left tackle Broderick Jones), so it's not like we don't know each other and know each others's calls.

"It should be fine if I have to go."

Anderson has stated five games through two-plus seasons, four in 2024 and one this season (as an extra tight end on Oct. 12 against Cleveland). And with one career catch under his belt, Anderson now has a keen appreciation for being on the receiving end of passes from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

"I saw him go through his progression from the right to the middle and then I looked and went, 'Oh, oh, he's about to throw it to me,'" Anderson explained. "Before I knew it the ball was on me. All I heard in the back of my head was 'ball security, job security,' so two hands, get as many yards as I could.

"After the game I told the receivers, 'Now, I see what y'all are saying.' They're like, 'Yeah, bro, he zips it in there.' Which is good because it beats windows. The long play we had to 'Muth' (tight end Pat Freiermuth) in Cincinnati (a 68-yard, catch-and-run touchdown on Oct. 16), you see the safety almost pick it off but 'Muth' catches the ball and goes crazy.

"Obviously, he's not gonna take anything off of it for me. I just have to be used to it, which I was. I just wish I could have gotten more 'YAC' (yards after the catch)."

Maybe next time.

-- Blog entry by Mike Prisuta

Salute to Service:Linebacker Patrick Queen got involved in working with the military for one reason.

Respect.

Queen isn't someone who has a long line of family members who served in the Armed Forces, although he has friends who have, but he understands and appreciates the work everyone who has or is currently serving our country has done.

If there is one thing he has, it's respect for all of them.

"All the stuff they went through in the past, and then them coming back home and the stuff they go through," shared Queen. "I feel like we don't take care of them enough.

"I feel like there are way more opportunities out there for us to be able to help them out when they come back, having places for them and better ways to help them transition away from that type of life that they had to live.

"And just to say thank you. So, my little appreciation with the cleats, there is way more we can do, but it's just a little token of appreciation."

Queen is the Steelers nominee for the 2025 Salute to Service Award, presented by USAA annually to either a player, coach, alumni or staff member of an NFL team for embracing the pillars of the award, to honor, embrace and connect with service members.

Queen has and continues to do his part to help.

Since signing with the Steelers in 2024, Queen has been a big part of the team's military outreach efforts.

He has partnered with the Veterans Leadership Program (VLP), an organization whose mission is to provide military members with much needed assistance, by focusing on housing and career development to wellness and supportive services. Queen supported 100 veterans by providing them with hygiene kits, providing basic necessities they sometimes go without. He also spent time with the group, serving them breakfast so he could personally thank them and get to know them. It's a relationship that he is continuing to grow and build this season.

This year he is teaming up with Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard, , whose mission is to empower veterans' transition from homeless to home, ending the cycle of homelessness, and to assist all at-risk veterans to become engaged, valuable citizens who contribute to their communities. On November 11, he will support 100 veterans by providing them with hygiene kits, a basic necessity they sometimes go without. He will also spend time with the group, serving them breakfast so that he can personally thank them and get to know them.

For the second straight year, Queen will support veterans' programs through the My Cause My Cleats program in 2025. This year he will be supporting Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard.

In 2024, Queen supported Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) with his cleats, and auction them off to raise money for the organization to support the families of fallen heroes.

"This is the best country in the world," said Queen. "The freedom that we have, all of the stuff that we get to do that not most countries get to do and stuff. What I do is just a little token of appreciation."

Vote for Queen.

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Monday, October 27

A new role:Linebacker Payton Wilson went out to midfield on Sunday night for the coin toss as the special teams captain for the game, assuming the role that was held by Miles Killebrew before he went out with a season-ending knee injury.

It's a role Wilson takes seriously and is proud to represent the unit.

"In our Wednesday team meeting, they told us in the team meeting," said Wilson of when he found out. "So just really honored about that. Thanks to Coach (Mike) Tomlin. Thanks to Miles, he's a great leader. He's been a great role model. So just hopefully I can fill his role."

"We got in the team meeting on Wednesday. Coach Tomlin went over it and then it went on from there. It's a great blessing and a great honor."

Wilson understands it comes with responsibility, and he is not shying away from it.

"I would just say being a leader out there on teams," said Wilson. "Miles was the voice, everything on teams. Everything we did on teams, Miles broke the huddles down, ran our meetings sometimes, certain things like our Saturday punt meeting and things like that. So just taking that stuff over and being a voice in the room when we're struggling a little bit or something doesn't go our way.

"Miles was always a great voice for us in there. He was always great to everybody in the room. So just trying to fill that role."

With the Steelers losing the last two games, having players step into leadership roles is key, keeping everyone together and on the same page and making sure they respond to the adversity.

Wilson is ready to do his part.

"When things start going south, they really start going south," said Wilson. "We came out flying, had a really good first half. And then once things started going south, it felt like everything just fell apart.

"So, we can't really ride that roller coaster of emotions. Especially when the defense is on the field, we just got to do our job the whole game. It can't be one quarter, one good drive, and then the rest of the game, we have to do it the whole game.

"We've got a lot of ball left, so we just have to build. We have to get better on defense. We've got to do our jobs better, we have to do our responsibilities better, and we just have to play harder and more physical.

"We've just got to do our job. I feel like Coach is putting us in the right position. Sometimes we're just not making plays. Obviously, offensive coaches are great minds too. So, they make great calls, but we just have to execute. We've just got to out execute the other team."

Next man up:Coach Mike Tomlin has yet to address the severity of the knee injury safety DeShon Elliott suffered against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, but whatever happens, veteran defensive back Chuck Clark is ready to step up.

"I mean it sucks when you see a teammate go down," said Clark. "You hate to see anybody go down, especially a guy like that. He brings a lot of energy to our defense.

"I feel comfortable. I mean I'm a veteran player. I know this defense, know what's expected, know how to play football. I know football, so I'm comfortable with that."

Elliott is a leader in the secondary, a communication hub and someone who brings a unique style to the group that keeps them hyped.

It's not about replacing that for the secondary. Instead, it's about adding something new.

"Bring your own twist, honestly," said Clark. "Whatever you bring to the field, what you do, bring your own twists.

"I think communication is a big thing. Communication is where it starts and that's where we all get comfortable."

Being comfortable with every aspect is a key this week facing a strong Colts team that is in first place in the AFC at 7-1.

And with a team that is coming off two losses, and the defense giving up 400 plus yards in both of those losses, the key is not losing focus.

"Personally, I don't get frustrated," said Clark. "I love this game. I love what comes with it. There and ups and downs in it. But we're playing a game that children love, and this is our livelihood.

"So, I'm not getting frustrated with it. I definitely get (ticked) about things that happen for sure, but it's time to grow, to get better."

Hard work pays off:Receiver Roman Wilson scored his first NFL touchdown on Sunday night against the Packers when he caught a 21-yard pass from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

While it meant a lot to Wilson to catch that first one, it was more about the final result.

"I was more focused on winning the game and looking more forward to my next game," said Wilson on Monday.

Wilson finished the night with four receptions for 74 yards, including a 45-yarder. It's a result of his chemistry with Rodgers coming together as the season rolls along.

"Just working hard and really listening," said Wilson. "Showing up at practice and proving myself."

Sunday night was the most involved Wilson has been in the offense, and he said the key is just always being prepared for whatever comes his way.

"Just staying focused, I think that's the biggest thing," said Wilson. "Making sure I'm where I'm supposed to be at, making sure that I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. So, if you prepare to succeed, then obviously it's going to work out for you."

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

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