HEADLINES

Pittsburgh Steelers News & Rumors

AFC Notes: Patriots, Steelers, Pouncey, Vick

August 27th, 2015 at 9:44pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s not immediately clear whether Micahel Williams, acquired by the Patriots in a Tuesday trade, will be playing tight end or tackle, Phil Perry of CSNNE.com. Williams came on to the practice field wearing a No. 74 jersey but later changed into No. 85 and could be seen working out with the tight end group. The 6’6″ athlete first came into the NFL as a tight end but was moved to tackle by the Lions in 2014 after their selection of Eric Ebron. Here’s more from the AFC..

  • Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says center Maurkice Pouncey, who fractured his left fibula Sunday against the Packers, has a chance to return this season, as Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. However, he did not offer a timetable on when that might be. Pouncey has told teammates he would like to play this season and it sounds like he’s a candidate for the IR-DTR list.
  • Michael Vick‘s one-year contract with the Steelers calls for a base salary of $970K, the veteran’s minimum, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The deal has no injury split and zero guaranteed money.
  • Bills receiver Chris Hogan has had an up-and-down summer and is battling a knee injury, but he doesn’t believe his roster spot is in jeopardy, as he tells Tyler Dunne of The Buffalo News. A handful of Bills wideouts, including Deonte Thompson and Andre Davis, have had strong preseasons, which could make for a difficult decision or two in Buffalo.

Luke Adams contributed to this post.

Steelers Sign Mike Vick

August 25th, 2015 at 6:47pm CST by Zachary Links

6:47pm: Vick’s one-year deal is worth roughly $1MM, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).

6:32pm: The Steelers have agreed to a deal with quarterback Michael Vick, Ed Bouchette of the Post-Gazette tweets. It’s a one-year deal, according to Mark Kaboly of the Tribune-Review (on Twitter).

Vick, 35, visited the Steelers on Tuesday and it didn’t take long for the two sides to reach agreement on a deal. The veteran indicated this offseason that he would like to play in the NFL for three more years, but he didn’t draw a ton of interest since his contract with the Jets expired in March. Last year in New York, Vick completed just 52.9% of his passes, throwing for 604 yards and adding another 153 yards on the ground in limited action, including three starts.

The Steelers found themselves in the market for a new backup for Ben Roethlisberger after Bruce Gradkowski left this weekend’s preseason game with a hand injury. Gradkowski dislocated a finger on his left hand and is having surgery, but since it’s not an injury to his throwing hand, he shouldn’t be sidelined for too long.

Besides Roethlisberger and Gradkowski, the Steelers are also currently carrying former fourth-round pick Landry Jones and undrafted free agent Tyler Murphy at the quarterback position. While Jones could be a candidate for the No. 2 job, Murphy isn’t expected to make the roster.

Steelers Place Bruce Gradkowski On IR

August 25th, 2015 at 6:31pm CST by Zachary Links

The Steelers announced that they have placed quarterback Bruce Gradkowski on the IR, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The move clears a roster spot for Michael Vick, who now has a much better chance of sticking with the club long-term.

Gradkowski, 32, was expected to serve as Ben Roethlisberger‘s primary backup in 2015. However, the veteran dislocated a finger on his left hand in this weekend’s preseason game and the injury was apparently bad enough to end his season before it could start.

The 32-year-old has traveled the league over the course of his career, enjoying stints with the Bucs, Browns, Raiders, Bengals, and Steelers. Last year, Gradkowski appeared in only one regular season game for the Steelers. In the playoffs, Gradkowski attempted three passes and completed two.

Steelers Sign Doug Legursky, Place David Nelson On IR

August 25th, 2015 at 10:58am CST by Luke Adams

With Maurkice Pouncey set to be sidelined for at least the first few weeks of the regular season, the Steelers are dealing with the loss of their starting center by adding one of their former starting linemen. According to Burt Lauten (Twitter link), the club has signed veteran free agent Doug Legursky. In a corresponding roster move, Pittsburgh placed wide receiver David Nelson on injured reserve.

Legursky, 29, spent parts of four seasons with the Steelers from 2009 to 2012, starting 17 games for the club during that stretch. In his first stint with Pittsburgh, Legursky saw significant action at guard, but he was the starting center for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV, and was signed by the Chargers last season as a replacement at center. Legursky lasted only two games in San Diego before a knee injury landed him on injured reserve for the rest of the 2014 campaign.

With Pouncey sidelined, Cody Wallace appears poised to step into the starting center role for the Steelers, but Legursky could push for playing time at the position.

Nelson, meanwhile, just joined the Steelers less than two weeks ago. However, he didn’t appear in a preseason game with the team as he dealt with a shoulder injury. If that shoulder issue isn’t season-ending, he figures to be removed from Pittsburgh’s IR at some point, perhaps with an injury settlement.

Michael Vick To Visit Steelers

August 25th, 2015 at 9:35am CST by Luke Adams

Months after hitting the open market, veteran quarterback Michael Vick is making his first free agent visit, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, who reports (via Twitter) that Vick is on his way to Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers.

Vick, 35, has indicated this offseason that he would like to play in the NFL for three more years, but he hasn’t drawn a ton of interest since his contract with the Jets expired in March. Last year in New York, Vick completed just 52.9% of his passes, throwing for 604 yards and adding another 153 yards on the ground in limited action, including three starts.

The Steelers may be in the market for a new backup for Ben Roethlisberger after Bruce Gradkowski left this weekend’s preseason game with a hand injury. According to Schefter (via Twitter), Gradkowski dislocated a finger on his left hand and is having surgery today. Since it’s not an injury to his throwing hand, Gradkowski shouldn’t be sidelined for too long, but Pittsburgh appears to be considering some veteran insurance nonetheless.

Besides Roethlisberger and Gradkowski, the Steelers are also currently carrying former fourth-round pick Landry Jones and undrafted free agent Tyler Murphy at the quarterback position. While Jones could be a candidate for the No. 2 job, Murphy isn’t expected to make the roster.

North Notes: Pouncey, Flacco, Guion, Lions

August 24th, 2015 at 1:39pm CST by Luke Adams

Injured Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey is undergoing surgery on his fractured ankle today, tweets Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com. According to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the exact timetable for Pouncey’s recovery still isn’t known, but the injury is unlikely to be season-ending. Based on what we’ve heard so far regarding the veteran center, he would appear to be a viable candidate for Pittsburgh’s IR-DTR slot this season.

Here’s more from around the NFL’s two North divisions:

  • As Ashley Fox of ESPN details, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has been keeping an eye on the megadeals signed by his fellow signal-callers, recognizing that Baltimore will almost certainly have to rework his contract in 2016, when his cap hit is set to jump to $28.55MM. Both Flacco and the team would like to see the former Super Bowl MVP become a “Raven for life.”
  • The appeal hearing for Letroy Guion‘s three-game suspension concluded on Monday, but there has been no ruling yet on whether that penalty will be reduced for the Packers defensive lineman, per Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com.
  • Demovsky also provided an update on former Packers receiver Kevin Dorsey, tweeting that the ex-Maryland wideout has retired. Green Bay used a seventh-round pick in the 2013 draft to nab Dorsey, but he only played in three games with the club.
  • After losing Ndamukong Suh in free agency this offseason, the Lions were happy to acquire Haloti Ngata to fill the newly-created void on their defensive line. However, the club still isn’t sure when Ngata will return from the hamstring injury that has plagued him throughout training camp, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Maurkice Pouncey To Undergo Surgery

August 23rd, 2015 at 6:40pm CST by Dallas Robinson

6:40pm: Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports (via Twitter) that Pouncey will miss at least six weeks.

3:54pm: Pouncey suffered a broken ankle, tweets Bouchette, while Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Twitter link) says the Steelers hope Pouncey can still return this season.

3:34pm: After leaving today’s preseason game with an ankle injury, Steelers center Maurkice Pouncey will indeed require surgery, head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters, including Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Twitter link). Tomlin did not give any indication as to how long Pouncey will be sidelined.

Earlier today, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported (via Twitter) that early indications are that Pouncey suffered a high ankle sprain “at the very least.” That report has yet to be confirmed, but such an injury would keep Pouncey out for four-to-six weeks, meaning he would likely miss three regular season games at minimum. Obviously, Bouchette’s tweet leaves the door open for Pouncey to have suffered a more serious injury, meaning that timetable would need to be amended.

Pouncey, 26, has been bitten by the injury bug before, as he missed all of the 2013 season after tearing his ACL during Week 1. He signed a five-year, $44MM extension during the summer of 2014, and went on to start all 16 games last year, earning his fourth Pro Bowl nod. Currently, Cody Wallace is projected as Pouncey’s direct backup at center, and he’d see more playing time if Pouncey is out for an extended period.

Per Kaboly (Twitter link), the Steelers also suffered another injury, albeit one that sounds less serious, Tomlin announced that defensive end Stephon Tuitt will be out a few weeks after suffering a sprained ankle.

Extra Points: Brees, Mathis, Seahawks

August 22nd, 2015 at 9:29pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Let’s take a look at the latest from around the NFL as Saturday comes to a close…

  • Saints quarterback Drew Brees spent two months working with coach Tom House to improve poor throwing mechanics that came as a result of an oblique injury last year, ESPN’s Ed Werder tweeted. “There was a lot I needed to fix,” said Brees (Twitter link). Despite the injury, Brees still appeared in all 16 games in 2014 and completed over 69 percent of his passes for 4,952 yards, 33 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
  • Free agent guard Evan Mathis’ visit with the Seahawks on Saturday went well, according to Fox Sports’ Mike Garafolo (via Twitter). While a signing doesn’t appear imminent, Garofalo tweeted that Seattle will remain an option for the two-time Pro Bowler.
  • Although 49ers safety Eric Reid has suffered three concussions during his first two NFL seasons, ex-teammate Chris Borland‘s offseason decision to retire over head-trauma concerns didn’t tempt Reid to do the same. “No. Not at all,” Reid said, per Eric Branch of SFGate.com. “Football is a violent sport, but you know what you sign up for when you put those shoulder pads on. I agree with certain aspects of it. I disagree with certain aspects of it. But you have to respect his decision either way. I’ve had concussions and I’m still here. I still love the sport. I think I’m still very healthy.”
  • One of the main focuses of the Steelers’ Keith Butler is making sure his defense is unpredictable. Butler, who’s taking over for longtime defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, is loath to call Pittsburgh a 4-3 or 3-4 team. “We are not strictly anything,” he said, according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “We just can’t be a 3-4 team and can’t just be a 4-3 team. I don’t think you can get around that. Offenses are multiple, so you have to do what you have to do to stop them. In order to do that, you try to match up your people with their people.”

Extra Points: Steelers, Mathis, Pryor, Bills

August 22nd, 2015 at 12:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Some assorted notes from around the NFL…

  • Considering the Steelers refusal to renegotiate contracts prior to the final year of a player’s current deal, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com wonders if Antonio Brown could potentially hold out in the future.
  • Seahawks coach Pete Carroll referred to Evan Mathis‘ visit with the organization as a “physical,” according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times (via Twitter). This could be an indication that a deal is imminent.
  • Browns wideout (and former quarterback) Terrelle Pryor hasn’t had much of an opportunity to hit the field this summer due to injuries, and according to Nate Ulrich of Ohio.com (via Twitter), head coach Mike Pettine said the receiver’s chance of making the team decreases every day he’s not out there.
  • The Bills are auditioning free agent wideout Austin Willis, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). Several teams are reportedly interested in the former Emporia State standout, who was cut by the Raiders earlier this week.
  • Rex Ryan said there is a “high possibility” that the Bills keep all three of their quarterbacks, writes Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. The team also hasn’t decided who will start among Tyrod Taylor, Matt Cassel and EJ Manuel. “We haven’t decided yet who’s starting at QB next week,” Ryan said. “We’ll rotate all three in this week.”

AFC Notes: Dareus, Grimes, Golson, Dixon

August 21st, 2015 at 9:51pm CST by Rob DiRe

Bills’ superstar defensive tackle Marcel Dareus is unhappy about his current contract, and is itching to hit free agency and chase some of that Ndamukong Suh money. Unfortunately for him, Suh was in a much better position in terms of leverage that allowed him to reach free agency. For Dareus, he will likely be subject to the franchise tag not once but twice before he is in position to get a Suh-like game-changing contract, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Here are some notes from around the AFC:

  • Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes has decided to change agents, and will now be represented by Tom Condon of CAA, reports Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (via Twitter). Grimes was formerly represented by Ben Dogra of Relativity Sports.
  • At the beginning of August, we learned that Steelers’ second-round pick Senquez Golson might require shoulder surgery that at the time was thought to be season ending. Golson tried to play through the injury, but ultimately decided to have the surgery this morning, reports Chris Adamski of TribLive.com. However, Golson and head coach Mike Tomlin have not announced whether or not he will miss the 2015 season.
  • The Raiders have brought in safety Ahmad Dixon for a workout, accorting to Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Dixon was a seventh-round pick for the Cowboys in 2014.
Load More Posts