The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 9 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Indianapolis Colts this week we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!
Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at whether or not Jaylen Samuels will be able to duplicate his solo performance vs. the New England Patriots in 2018 on Sunday if called upon.
Let’s get to the news:
- In 2018 during Week 15 Jaylen Samuels put on a show for the Heinz Field crowd as he ran all over the Patriots. If James Conner can’t play vs. the Colts this Sunday, will Samuels be able to dupliate that performance?
Steelers’ Jaylen Samuels ready to take over starting RB role if needed
By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten creative with how they have used running back Jaylen Samuels this season. He has lined up wide, in the slot, inline as a tight end and even behind center in the wildcat formation.
He has caught and thrown passes. And, yes, he has carried the ball as a traditional runner — just not as the feature back for an entire game.
That could change Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. Samuels would make his first start of the season if James Conner is unable to return from an AC joint sprain in his shoulder.
Conner missed practiced Wednesday, and so did rookie running back Benny Snell, who suffered a knee injury in the Steelers’ 27-14 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Monday.
Samuels was the top backup until he had arthroscopic knee surgery Oct. 7, but he was cleared to practice last week and was a full participant Wednesday for the fourth session in a row.
“I feel good,” Samuels said. “I feel way better than during my rehab the past three weeks. I’ve been pushing myself hard to get back to the team. I’m ready to go this week.”
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- James Washington might not be the pass catcher fans want to see right now, but he is learning to block like Hines Ward.
Steelers’ James Washington embraces Hines Ward approach to blocking
By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
It was not a case, James Washington said Wednesday, of spotting Nik Needham from afar Monday night and lining him up in anticipation of a highlight-reel pancake.
“Honestly, I was just in the moment,” the Pittsburgh Steelers receiver said. “I just saw an opportunity, and I hit him.”
Washington did — and it endeared him to Steelers fans and elicited comparisons to franchise icon Hines Ward.
Washington’s block of Miami Dolphins cornerback Needham during the final minute of the first half of Monday’s win gave Diontae Johnson a clear path to the end zone. Washington’s effort wasn’t the play of the game, but it was one of the moments fans and observers were talking about after the Steelers’ 27-14 victory.
Washington also delivered a “pancake” block near the goal line during James Conner’s 9-yard touchdown run in the second half.
To read the full article, click HERE (Free)
- Ike Taylor admits he once had a helmet wired with speakers so he could listen to music while he played, and Mike Tomlin never knew.
Taylor says Tomlin didn’t know about his musical helmet
By: Dale Lolley, DKPittsburghSports
Former Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor made some waves late last week when he admitted on the “Surf & Turf” podcast that he hid an iPod in his uniform and had speakers installed in his helmet so that he could listen to music during the final three seasons of his career with the team.
And, in true Ike Taylor fashion, he was unapologetic about doing it. In fact, he was more than happy he did.
“You’re God dang right I did it,” Taylor told me Tuesday when I asked him if the story was true. “I just came up with it and decided to roll with it. I wanted music in my helmet, so I taped a Nano to myself and did it.”
But he also said that while a few teammates knew about the speakers, which he had secretly installed in his helmet, head coach Mike Tomlin was not aware.
”A few teammates,” Taylor told me Tuesday. “But no, nobody (on the coaching staff) knew about it. I didn’t want anyone to get in trouble.”
To read the full article, click HERE ($$$)
- Jaylen Samuels Media Availability
Samuels: "I'm ready to do whatever they need me to do." pic.twitter.com/Mcb4JIQDz4
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 30, 2019
- Social Media Madness
Monday night. Under the lights.#SightsNSounds pic.twitter.com/cZCvY5NcWZ
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
“No. 72 is an eligible receiver”
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) October 30, 2019
@steelers fans at @heinzfield cheer
Here’s a preview of my 1-on-1 with @ZBNFL pic.twitter.com/9TTSmvlTsQ
Colts week. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/xC3cPsTdgl
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
Hundred Acres Manor to find some #TerribleTowels @rell_island6 | @Chico_Hndrxx | @minkfitz_21 | @kaetwicefrfr pic.twitter.com/jNCqlC9W8S
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
@rell_island6 pic.twitter.com/ueqDdQ5Vjj
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
Just take two steps @rell_island6 pic.twitter.com/AUNCTBmwTW
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
Get out of the way pic.twitter.com/m4Fhj18NrP
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
The haunted house starting lineup @rell_island6 | @kaetwicefrfr | @minkfitz_21 | @Chico_Hndrxx pic.twitter.com/c2Ehg8UlFq
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
NO WAY OUT‼️@rell_island6 | @Chico_Hndrxx pic.twitter.com/YtNZhHyaLP
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019
MADE IT OUT! We had a very fun night at @HundredAcres!@rell_island6 | @kaetwicefrfr | @minkfitz_21 | @Chico_Hndrxx pic.twitter.com/QJj4JqhbbF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) October 31, 2019