Canada: Fourth downs my fault
One week after noting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had receivers in the end zone when he decided to throw a swing pass to Najee Harris for a loss of 1 yard on a 4th-and-10 against the Bengals, Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada shouldered the blame for fourthdown mishaps Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
The Steelers were 0 for 2 on fourth downs against the Packers. One was another swing pass to Harris that resulted in another loss on 4thand-4. The second one was a short pass to JuJu Smith-Schuster that came up 3 yards short on 4th-and-5.
Smith-Schuster explained after the game the call was a pick play designed to beat man coverage. The Packers played zone, and the play did not work.
Canada was asked Thursday morning what the procedure was for those situations when plays that are called won’t work due to the defense guessing right.
“To be honest, all of our plays have answers for zone and man,” Canada said. “The play didn’t work. It’s my fault.”
When Canada received follow-up questions about the fourth-down woes, his response was the same: “It’s my fault.”
Canada has come under fire for the failed fourthdown plays amid the backdrop that Roethlisberger’s freedom to check out of plays at the line of scrimmage has been curtailed. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday Roethlisberger was restricted in those “weighty moments” on fourth downs because the Steelers were playing on the road, and he was willing to live with the play that was called because the coaching staff had prepared all week to make important calls.
Canada was asked later about Roethlisberger’s freedom to change plays at the line of scrimmage.
“Our system is what it is,” he said. “Those plays didn’t work, and it’s my fault.”
Injury updates
Cornerback Cam Sutton missed practice for a second consecutive day with a groin injury, but Roethlisberger was listed as a full participant one day after not practicing due to pectoral and hip injuries.
Steelers receivers continue to be in and out of practice. Chase Claypool was limited with a hamstring injury for the second day in a row, and James Washington was limited with a groin injury. Washington is new to the injury report. JuJu Smith-Schuster (rib), meanwhile, returned to being a full participant after being limited on Wednesday.
Three other starters returned to full participation after being out Wednesday. Defensive lineman Cam Heyward (neck) and offensive linemen Trai Turner (illness) and Kevin Dotson (hip) are trending toward playing against the Denver Broncos. Defensive lineman Carlos Davis, who has missed the past three games, did not practice.