Brown says Bryant integral to title hopes
Count Antonio Brown among the Steelers who believe Martavis Bryant is integral to the team’s championship aspirations.
Bryant won’t play this week because he doubled down on a trade request via social media. Bryant spent the week on the scout team and mimicked the Detroit Lions receivers for the defense.
“I think guys trust him,” Brown said Friday. “He just has to earn his way back. Obviously, we need him. We know what he’s capable of. We’re going to need him down the stretch. He made a mistake, and he’ll learn from it.”
Why do the Steelers need him?
“He can be a reason we win,” Brown said. “If we’re going to do what we desire to do, we need every guy in this locker room to be at his best and to be all in.”
Head-to-head
The previous time Brown went up against Lions corner Darius Slay, he almost got tossed from a joint practice at Saint Vincent College in the summer of 2016.
When the Lions visited Steelers camp last summer, Brown was matched up against Slay and got the better of him during some drills. Slay complained to the officials about offensive pass interference, and Brown did the same. Apparently, Brown’s complaints weren’t delivered in the friendliest of manners, and the official threatened to kick him out of practice.
Reports from the joint practices had Brown burning Slay and other Lions defensive backs. Slay posted practice video to combat those reports, detailing his work against Brown.
Now they get to settle their score on the field Sunday night at Ford Field in Detroit. Slay is the Lions’ No. 1 cornerback and has three interceptions in the first six games of the season.
“We had them up here in training camp last year,” Brown said. “He’s a great corner, great competitor. He usually takes the opposing team’s top receiver, so I’m looking forward to seeing a lotof him this weekend.”
Injury report
The Steelers will be without two starters and a reserve Sunday night against the Lions. Starting right tackle Marcus Gilbert will miss the game with a hamstring injury, and starting defensive end Stephon Tuitt is out with a back injury. Also, reserve tight end Vance McDonald won’t play because he injured his knee last Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Rookie outside linebacker T.J. Watt injured his right ankle in practice Friday and had it wrapped in an elastic bandage, but he is expected to play. “I’m good to go,” he said after practice. “I feel great.”
Chris Hubbard will take Gilbert’s place and Tyson Alualu will take Tuitt’s place. Xavier Grimble is expected to dress and play in two tight end sets Sunday.
Burfict fined
Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict was fined $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct for kicking fullback Roosevelt Nix in the game Sunday at Heinz Field.