Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) reacts against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (9) reacts against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
The Pittsburgh Steelers have caused the benching of a second starting quarterback, and Steelers fans are looking toward the son of a former player in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders patience with Derek Carr has run out, as head coach Josh McDaniels announced Wednesday they’re benching the veteran quarterback and turning to Jarrett Stidham as their new starter. Carr has thrown a league-leading 14 interceptions — including three Saturday night during a 13-10 loss to the Steelers. As part of the discussions that took place over the last few days, both sides decided that it was best for Carr to leave the team for the final two games to avoid the obvious distractions, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. He won’t practice and will be listed as “not injury related.”
Cameron Heyward has a 91.6 Pro Football Focus grade over the past two weeks — third best among all defenders. It’s the first time in his career he’s put up a 90.0+ grade in back-to-back games. Heyward was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his dominate performance against Las Vegas on Saturday.
Per PFF, Kenny Pickett is the third-highest graded quarterback (84.0) in the NFL since Week 12. Pickett is behind just Trevor Lawrence and Joe Burrow.
Cameron Sutton has 16 combined forced incompletions and interceptions this season. Only James Bradberry and Sauce Gardner have more, according to PFF.
According to NFL Research, Kenny Pickett’s game-winning touchdown pass to George Pickens against the Raiders was only the fourth time during the Super Bowl era that a rookie quarterback had a game-winning touchdown to a rookie receiver in the last two minutes of regulation.
Former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky broke down Pickett’s game-winning touchdown pass to Pickens. “All Pickett has done is impress. Different ways to play well in this league,” Orlsovsky said.
George Pickens ranks 91st in yards per route (1.34) and 96th in first downs per route (6.3%) this season. Pickens is sixth in yards per route among rookie wide receivers, while he ranks seventh in first downs per route.
The Steelers have forced multiple turnovers in 36 games since the start of the 2019 season, which leads the NFL over the span.
Terry Bradshaw was at Franco Harris’ funeral with Mel Blount, Joe Greene, Donnie Shell and John Stallworth. “Five great men together to say goodbye to another great man,” Bradshaw wrote on Facebook.
? Happy 42nd birthday to former Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Shaun Suisham, born this day in 1981 in Wallaceburg, Ontario. Suisham spent his final six NFL seasons with the Steelers from 2010-15 until a knee injury prematurely ended his playing career.
Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. is the clear favorite among Steelers fans to be the team’s pick at No., 16, according to the Pro Football Network mock draft simulator.
LSU wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who originally declared his intentions to return to LSU in 2023, declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in a surprise move on Wednesday. Boutte is thought to be an early day two talent with elite upside. A former five-star recruit, Boutte has dealt with injuries that have hampered him at times, but his athleticism leaves him as an intriguing player to watch.
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STEELERS SCHEDULE
The team will return to practice at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex at 12:15 p.m. — Nick Farabaugh, Alan Saunders
AROUND THE NETWORK
Dior Johnson has returned to Pitt Basketball practice after pleading guilty to domestic assault, but is expect to redshirt the rest of the 2022-23 season.
Penguins melt down, blow 4-0 lead in 5-4 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Ryan Switzer throws his hat in the ring to be West Virginia’s next wide receivers coach.
Penn State defensive end Vilbert Smith will be available to play in the Rose Bowl, James Franklin said.
Pirates have finalized their deal with free agent pitcher Jarlín Garcia and DFA’d Bryse Wilson.
