Steelers vent frustration over latest schedule change
Most people would be thrilled to suddenly find out they were getting a national holiday off when they were originally scheduled to work.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are as bitter as a bad Butterball.
Judging by their reaction on social media, they believed it was some sort of conspiracy that their U.S. Thanksgiving night marquee matchup with Baltimore was postponed on Wednesday when the list of Ravens to hit the reserve/covid-19 list grew to seven players, along with members of the team's coaching staff and support staff.
Most recent Ravens to either test positive or be identified as a “close contact” were Matt Skura and Pat Mekari, their first and second team centres, as well as All-pro defensive tackle Calais Campbell.
“The decision was made out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel and in consultation with medical experts,” read the NFL'S statement.
Pending the results of more testing, the game will be played Sunday at 1:15 p.m. EST as part of NBC'S coverage.
Meanwhile, the traditional American Thanksgiving triple header has turned into a doubleheader, and as delicious as the main course featuring the undefeated Steelers and their hated rivals looked, the two appetizers are much less appealing.
The Houston Texans (3-7) visit the Detroit Lions (4-6) at 12:30 p.m. EST, followed by a pillow fight for first place in the NFC East featuring Washington (3-7) at Dallas (3-7).
“What a joke,” tweeted Chase Claypool, the Steelers' sensational rookie receiver, about the decision to postpone.
“I'm not gonna lie NFL, this is (B.S.),” tweeted Steelers tight end Eric Ebron.
And on and on it went.
Why were the Steelers so ticked?
For one reason, they were genuinely looking forward to flexing their muscle on primetime against a reeling divisional foe.
It's also the second time this season Pittsburgh's schedule has had to be adjusted because of its opponent's COVID situation.
Their bye week was moved to Week 4 (when they really didn't need a breather after three games) because the Tennessee Titans had an outbreak.
Also, according to one report, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin promised his players they could have six days off following Thursday's night game.
Now, while they'll have Thursday off, they'll be back at practice Friday, and then after Sunday's game be back in their usual routine heading into Week 13's game against Washington.
Things could get messed up further if the Steelers-ravens game can't be played Sunday.
The league and the Ravens expect to know if the outbreak is contained on Friday.
“First the NFL takes away our bye week because another team can't get their COVID situation together, now they take away our Thanksgiving primetime game for the same reason. Smh (shaking my head),” tweeted receiver Juju Smith- Schuster.
It is interesting that in the hours leading up to the Thursday that kicked off Week 9, the 49ers had to put four key players on the reserve/covid-19 list, yet the league didn't postpone that game.
At the same time, the NFL has to hate taking Pittsburgh-baltimore off the slate on a holiday.
Are the Ravens to blame for being victimized by COVID? Who knows. Maybe they weren't following protocols as strictly as they should, and maybe they took every precaution but picked up the virus through family members.
Either way, the whole thing could work out to the Steelers' advantage. Tomlin will surely reinforce their “us against the world” mentality, and now the NFL'S only 10-0 team should have a little more fuel in its tank for the stretch drive.
READY, SET, HUT: Veteran Mike Glennon will be the quarterback for the Jaguars in their game against the Browns on Sunday, making his first start since 2017 and prompting this observation from Mark Long of The Associated Press: “Here's the craziest part: Mike Glennon got benched in 2017 for Chicago's Mitchell Trubisky, who got benched this year for Nick Foles, who got benched last year for Gardner Minshew, who got replaced by (Jake) Luton, who is now benched in favour of Glennon.” ... Looks like Trubisky could be the Bears starter against the Packers Sunday night after he was a full participant and Nick Foles (hip) didn't practice Wednesday ... Teddy Bridgewater has confirmed he'll return to work as Carolina's QB against his old team, the Minnesota Vikings. Despite his return to practice Wednesday, the Panthers are expected to be without RB Christian Mccaffrey, who has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury ... Brandon Allen, not Ryan Finley, is expected to replace Joe Burrow as Cincinnati's starter against the Giants. Allen, a sixth-round pick in 2016, has spent the entire season on the practice squad.
DOWN AND OUT: Colts have put DT Deforest Buckner on the reserve/covid-19 list ... Browns have put Sione Takitaki on the COVID list as well. He had a pick-six against Carson Wentz last week ... The Texans will be without veteran WR Randall Cobb (toe) for the next three games after placing him on IR Wednesday. Cobb has 38 catches for 441 yards and three TDS in his first season with Houston
... Texans receiver Kenny Stills (quadriceps) will also miss the game.
CANDID CAMERA: NFL Network posted a clip of the exchange between Baltimore coach John Harbaugh and Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel before Sunday's game. Of the Titans players huddling on the Ravens crest, Harbaugh says, “it's disrespectful.” Says Vrabel: “Go coach.” Says Harbaugh: “It's disrespectful.” Says Vrabel: “Go coach a game.” And despite claims to the contrary made by both men, there was no post-game handshake, even though the winning coach offered his congratulations.