Notes on Big Ben, JuJu
- The Steelers are in a much different spot than the Giants at this point in time, but veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger opened up to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to discuss how he empathizes with the situation Eli Manning is going through right now. “It sparks the reality that that could be me,” Roethlisberger said. “They could do that to me next year or whenever, who knows? It’s eye-opening that you have to take every play, every game, don’t take it for granted, take it for what it is because you never know when you’re done.” However, while Big Ben and Eli were taken in the same draft and both have multiple Super Bowls to their credit, the Steelers signal caller doesn’t believe that the only team he’s ever known would treat him in the same way. “I don’t, and I don’t mean to talk negatively about the Giants, especially I know the Steelers and Giants are very close and are family, too. But I don’t think they would, I think they would handle it differently.” These are interesting comments considering Roethlisberger expressed some reservations about continuing to play this past offseason, and even though he’s recovered nicely from a unusually slow start, the fact that he’s thinking about these career questions shouldn’t be overlooked.
Haden To Miss The Next Few Weeks
- The Steelers managed to hold off the scuffling Packers on Sunday night football yesterday, but were still clearly exposed in the secondary by some talented playmakers and a backup quarterback. Part of the reason for the offensive display could be due to the absence of veteran cornerback Joe Haden. While the team does expect the former Brown to return, it’s unlikely that the defensive back will see the field for a few more weeks, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (Twitter link). La Canfora did add that the Week 13 status for rookie wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster remains a little more up in the air at this point.
- The Bengals have avoided a suspension to one of their key defenders in linebacker Vontaze Burfict, according to Jim Owczarski of Cincinnati.com. The energetic defender was flagged for unnecessary roughness for hitting a defenseless receiver in yesterday’s win over the Browns. Burfict has made a number of boneheaded plays throughout his career, which include him getting ejected for making contact with an official and for his unsportsmanlike penalty against the Steelers earlier in the season. He’ll avoid game punishment here, but a fine is certainly possible.
Steelers Promote RB Fitz Toussaint
Fitz Toussaint is back in the NFL. Mark Kaboly of TheAthletic.com reports (via Twitter) that the Steelers have promoted the 27-year-old to their active roster. To make room, they’ve released running back Terrell Watson.
Toussaint initially joined the Ravens as an undrafted rookie out of Michigan in 2014. He signed with Pittsburgh’s practice squad in 2015, and he was later promoted to the active roster. He took on a bigger role throughout the season, and he ultimately started his team’s wild card playoff game against the Bengals, hauling in four catches for 60 yards. Toussaint hung around as the Steelers’ third-string running back in 2016, rushing for 58 yards on 14 carries in 16 games. He also returned 13 kicks for 278 yards.
Toussaint ended up losing his spot to Watson during the preseason, and he was subsequently waived by the organization. However, he quickly caught on with the team’s practice squad, where he’s been all season. The running back will presumably slot in behind Le’Veon Bell and James Conner on the depth chart.
Meanwhile, Watson hadn’t done much in limited work this season. The 2015 undrafted rookie out of Azusa Pacific saw time in 10 games for the Steelers, compiling eight rushing yards on five carries. The 24-year-old has already bounced around the league during the early part of his career, spending time with the Bengals, Browns, Broncos, and Eagles.
Smith-Schuster To Miss Week 12
- Steelers rookie wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster has been ruled out of the team’s Sunday night matchup with Green Bay, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. (Twitter link). The first-year receiver from USC has been impressive in recent weeks, averaging 17.2 yards per reception and logging five touchdowns on the season. He will miss the game due to a hamstring injury.
Steelers Activate CB Cameron Sutton
The Steelers activated cornerback Cameron Sutton from injured reserve, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). The 2017 third-round pick may finally make his NFL debut here in November. 
Sutton’s arrival comes at a good time as Joe Haden will likely be sidelined through at least Week 13. For now, Pittsburgh’s CB’s group is comprised of Artie Burns, Mike Hilton, William Gay, Coty Sensabaugh, Sutton, and fellow rookie Brian Allen.
At Tennessee, Sutton was a starter throughout his four-year collegiate career, setting a school-record in passes defended along the way. Unfortunately, he lost about half of his senior season to a broken ankle. Had he left school after his junior year, he probably would have gone higher in the draft. His potential loss is the Steelers’ gain, however, and they’ll finally find out what they have in their third-round selection.
After trouncing the Titans on Thursday night, the Steelers are tied with the Patriots at 8-2 for the AFC lead. Next up for Pittsburgh is a Sunday night tilt against the Packers.
NFL Suspends Steelers’ Marcus Gilbert
Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert has been suspended four games for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy. In a statement, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert announced that Gilbert will not appeal the ban. 
This hasn’t been a banner year for Gilbert. Thanks to injuries, he has missed five of the team’s ten games to date. His PED suspension means that he will not be eligible to play again until Christmas against the Texans in Week 16.
Gilbert, 29, is signed through the 2019 season thanks to the five-year, $30MM extension he inked before the 2014 season. The Steelers discussed another extension with him prior to this season, but they ultimately did not agree to terms and the team may have second thoughts about a fresh deal given the way things have gone in recent months.
Last year, Pro Football Focus graded Gilbert as the NFL’s No. 11 tackle among 76 total qualifiers, painting him as one of the league’s very best right tackles. Heading into 2017, the former second-round pick started 75 games over six seasons in Pittsburgh.
NFL Workout Updates: 11/13/17
Today’s workout updates, with all links going to veteran Howard Balzer’s Twitter account (unless noted):
Cleveland Browns
- DBs Jacob Hagen, Ed Reynolds (link)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- LSs Drew Ferris, Ryan DiSalvo, Andrew East, Colin Holba (via ESPN’s Michael DiRocco)
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Henry Krieger-Coble; LB Kevin Snyder (link)
Pittsburgh Steelers
- S Jack Tocho (link)
San Francisco 49ers
- P Chase Tenpenny (link)
Steelers CB Joe Haden Has Broken Fibula
Steelers cornerback Joe Haden suffered a broken fibula in today’s victory over the Colts and will be sidelined indefinitely, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters, including Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link). However, Haden only has a “slight” fracture in his leg, and should be able to return following a three-week absence, tweets Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
While the most recent news on Haden’s status is positive, his loss will be felt in the Steelers’ secondary no matter how long he’s out. Haden, who agreed to a three-year deal with Pittsburgh after being released by the Browns earlier this year, has played nearly every defensive snap for the Steelers in 2017 while grading as the league’s No. 33 cornerback among 117 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus. The 28-year-old Haden has been excellent while defending mostly deep passes, as he ranks fourth in average air yards of passes against, according to Football Outsiders.
With Haden unavailable, the Steelers will likely turn to veteran William Gay to start on the outside opposite Artie Burns, with Mike Hilton remaining in the slot. Coty Sensabaugh, who has yet to play a single defensive snap, could also see more time on defense, while rookie Cameron Sutton — who is close to returning from injured reserve — may contribute down the stretch.
If Pittsburgh wants to look outside the organization for another defensive back, Vontae Davis — recently cut by the Colts — could be one option. Contending teams are reportedly interested in adding Davis for the stretch run, and while the Steelers aren’t known to have contacted Davis, they’d make sense as a potential suitor. Of course, Davis’ injury status and poor play could dissuade general manager Kevin Colbert from inking the veteran.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/7/17
Today’s practice squad moves:
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: S Derron Smith
- Cut: TE Scott Orndoff
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed: DT Joe Vellano
Indianapolis Colts
- Cut: CB Channing Stribling
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: OL Cole Toner
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: OL Willie Beavers
- Cut: RB Bronson Hill
New England Patriots
- Signed: DT Mike Purcell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: S Tre Sullivan
- Cut: LB Don Cherry
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed: T Jake Rodgers
- Cut: WR Justin Thomas
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: OL Isaiah Battle
Latest On Jarvis Landry, Martavis Bryant
Jarvis Landry and Martavis Bryant do not look to be going anywhere as the trade deadline nears. Despite the Dolphins unloading Jay Ajayi and the Steelers deactivating Bryant in Week 8, the AFC squads will be hanging onto two of the bigger names to be thrown into trade rumors this month.
Adam Schefter reports Landry will not be traded today, while NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport said the same for Bryant (Twitter links). A report earlier today indicated the Dolphins were willing to part with Landry for the right price, but either that price hasn’t materialized or the Fins are determined to hang onto their fourth-year slot starter.
Rapoport, though, adds other teams tried to pry Bryant away from the Steelers. But the build-from-within-based organization does not appear eager to budge from its proclamation of holding onto Bryant. Rapoport reports multiple teams called the Steelers about Bryant, but he’ll have to work things out with the coaching staff in order to get back on the field.
Landry’s in the final year of his contract, and no substantial negotiations have reportedly taken place. Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports Landry has not completely bought into the Adam Gase regime’s methods, and that may be causing friction between the sides. The Dolphins were once set to make a Landry extension a priority in the most recent offseason. The team is also anticipating a third- or fourth-round compensatory pick if Landry departs as a free agent, Salguero notes.