Steelers to call on Hodges vs. Browns
Devlin Hodges in. Mason Rudolph out.
At least for now.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tabbed Hodges as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s pivotal meeting with the Browns in Pittsburgh, though Tomlin cautioned against reading too much into the move.
“We’re singularly focused on winning this game, of putting ourselves in position to win this game,” Tomlin said Tuesday. “That’s where the decision lies. We’ll see where we are after this game. Really, we have no intended plans beyond this one.”
Given the chaotic nature of the position this season for the Steelers (6-5), that’s probably wise.
Hodges came on in relief of an ineffective Rudolph in the second half against the Bengals, throwing for a momentum-shifting 79yard touchdown pass to James Washington on his third snap that gave the Steelers the lead for good.
The undrafted rookie free agent who goes by the nickname “Duck” as a nod to his status as a champion duck caller back home in Alabama, was so-so otherwise — finishing 5 of 11 for 118 yards and the score — but he avoided mistakes and provided an emotional jolt that helped the Steelers stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
“He took care of the ball and provided a spark,” Tomlin said. “So we just thought it was reasonable as we prepare this week to allow him to continue to do that. It means nothing about our intended plans for the foreseeable future or the trajectory of Mason’s career or what have you.”
Rudolph took over in Week 2 when Ben Roethlisberger was lost for the season because of a right elbow injury and became just the eighth player since 1970 to throw at least one touchdown in his first eight career appearances but has stumbled in recent weeks. He threw four interceptions in an ugly loss to the Browns on Nov. 14 — a game that ended with Rudolph getting into a now i nfamous f i ght with Browns defensive end Myles Garrett that ended with Garrett hitting Rudolph in the head with the quarterback’s own helmet — and tossed another pick at the goal line against the Bengals in the first half that ended a scoring threat.
Ravens’ Skura done: Ravens center Matt Skura will need season-ending knee surgery, ESPN reported Tuesday.
It represents the first major injury for the NFL’s highest scoring offense.
Skura was carted off the field during the first quarter of the Ravens’ 45-6 rout of the Rams on Monday. The injury was originally diagnosed as a sprain, but tests revealed it was more serious.
Undrafted rookie Patrick Mekari, who filled in Monday night, is expected to replace Skura. Sunday’s game against the 49ers would mark the first start at center for Mekari since high school.
Skura had started 27 straight games at center.