Steelers to put faith in ‘Duck’
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin tabbed third-stringer Devlin Hodges as the starting quarterback for Sunday’s pivotal meeting with Cleveland at Heinz Field, 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.
“That’s where the decision lies. We’ll see where we are after this game. Really, we have no intended plans beyond this one.”
Hodges came on in relief of an ineffective Mason Rudolph in the second half against Cincinnati, throwing for a momentum-shifting 79-yard touchdown pass to James Washington on his third snap that gave Pittsburgh 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 five of 11 for 118 yards and the score — but he avoided mistakes and provided an emotional jolt that helped the Steelers (6-5) stay in the thick of the AFC playoff race.
Rudolph threw four interceptions in an ugly loss to Cleveland (5-6) on Nov. 14 — a game that ended with Rudolph getting into a now infamous fight 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 in Cincinnati in the first half that ended a scoring threat.
Ravens lose center
Baltimore Ravens center Matt Skura has been placed on injured reserve after sustaining a knee injury in a 45-6 victory over the Rams.
Skura was carted off the field in the first quarter Monday night.
He was replaced by undrafted rookie Patrick Mekari, whose presence didn’t hinder a running attack that grinded out 285 yards.
Skura started all 11 games this season for Baltimore and didn’t miss a start at center in 2018.
Etc.
It’s been difficult for Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky to get the offense moving this season, and Thursday against Detroit he will be likely be without wide receiver Taylor Gabriel and tight end Ben Braunecker because of concussions . ... The Tennessee Titans placed five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Cameron Wake on injured reserve after the 37-year-old veteran was hurt late in their win over Jacksonville.