Pickens’ first TD put name atop NFL list
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he didn’t want to bench George Pickens for his lazy play in last week’s game against the Colts in part because “he has talents, and we want to utilize him.”
Well, it didn’t take long for the Steelers to utilize his talents. On the Steelers’ second snap of the game, Pickens took a short slant and turned it into an 86-yard touchdown that got the Steelers off and running against the Bengals.
It was the longest play from scrimmage in the NFL this season.
Pickens came under criticism earlier in the week when he told reporters he did not block for teammate Jaylen Warren in the 30-13 loss to the Colts because he didn’t want to get injured. Tomlin addressed Pickens’ comments on Thursday, one day after they created a firestorm around the team.
Pickens’ touchdown catch was the longest of his short career. It also was Pickens’ first touchdown since an Oct. 29 game against the Jaguars and his first 100-yard receiving game since a Week 7 game against the Rams.
Quarterback Mason Rudolph, making his first start of the year, got the Steelers off to their best start of the season. They had 166 yards in the first quarter, their most since Week 9 of the 2015 season against the Raiders.
Rudolph’s 133 passing yards in the first quarter were the most for the Steelers in the first quarter since Ben Roethlisberger threw for 153 in Week 3 of the 2018 season againstthe Buccaneers.
Roberts injured
Elandon Roberts left the game in the second quarter and did not return after injuring his pectoral muscle. The Steelers had to play the remainder of the game with Mykal Walker, Myles Jack and Mark Robinson playing in the middle of the defense.
Jack was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on Saturday. He came out of retirement earlier this month to join the Steelers after injuries devastated the unit.
Roberts was the last inside linebacker standing among the three players who rotated as starters to begin the season. Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander suffered season-ending injuries in November.
Rowe makes an impact
Eric Rowe made his Steelers debut on Saturday and promptly made his presence felt when he intercepted Jake Browning in the second quarter. The turnover set up the Steelers’ third touchdown and gave them a 21-0 lead.
It was Rowe’s first interception since the 2020 season when he was a member of the Dolphins. Rowe was signed to the practice squad last month. He was elevated to the active roster on Saturday with the Steelers’ top three safeties out.
He’s like Ike
Steelers rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. isn’t just wearing the same number and playing the same position as one of his dad’s friends and former teammates. Porter is also emulating Ike Taylor in a different way. With Saturday’s game on NBC, every starter got to pop up on the broadcast to give their name and college, but instead of “Penn State” Porter had other ideas.
“Joey Porter Jr.: King of the north,” Porter said.
You might recall the guy Porter affectionately refers to as “Uncle Ike” liked to have fun with those introductions, too. “Ike Taylor: Swag” was hismost memorable quote.