Steelers Daily News & Links: Mendenhall Makes Waves, Fans Roast NFL Exec after Kazee Suspension

Steelers Daily News & Links: Your daily stop for all of the news and links from the Pittsburgh Steelers, NFL and around the Sports Now Group.

? After having an MRI on his separated shoulder Monday, Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is expected to be sidelined for Saturday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Chase could miss multiple weeks, just not this week’s game. Chase suffered the injury in Sunday’s overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings. Sources initially told Rapoport that they didn’t expect Chase to miss any time.

? Ryan Clark responded to former Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall’s remark that there should be an All-Black vs. All-White substitute for the Pro Bowl. Clark was teammates with Mendenhall in Pittsburgh.

“How about we just keep ball how it is? Takes all kinds to make a team. That’s the beauty of a lockeroom. I’m glad playing in Washington allowed me to get to know a white UDFA linebacker from Nebraska named Will Compton.
@R_Mendenhall is way off and unnecessarily divisive here!” Clark wrote on X.

Many made light of the situation, including J.J. Watt, the Pat McAfee Show and Will Compton. Mendenhall retweeted all three, so it appears that he was joking, but it definitely raised eyebrows and got attention, which is probably what he wanted. Mendenhall is hard to figure out, and he still holds a vendetta against former teammate Ben Roethlisberger. Mendenhall has made it clear over the years that he’s not fond of Roethlisberger.

? Former Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell wrote “Lol” on X in response to a fan posting a video of Najee Harris missing a hole and asking Bell what he would’ve done in the situation. Harris had open space to the left but ran right into Indianapolis Colts defensive end Tyquan Lewis. Bell was known for his first-rate vision and patience during his time with the Steelers.

New customers to ESPN Bet can get a free $250 bet with any new signup. Click the link and use promo code STEEL to get an extra $50 off, exclusively for Steelers Now readers.

? Steelers fans on social media though it was ironic that former Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle and current NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan issued Damontae Kazee’s suspension for the rest of the year. Runyan really didn’t uphold the standard of being a clean player during his career.

The suspension comes on the heels of Kazee being ejected for a hit to the helmet of a defenseless receiver in Saturday’s 30-13 Steelers loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Kazee hit wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in the head with his shoulder as Pittman was diving over the middle of the field in an attempt to catch a pass from Gardner Minshew. Kazee has been fined five times this season for violating the NFL’s health and safety protocols. 

https://twitter.com/oscarintx/status/1736821802742296978

? Dave Dameshek thinks 2023 is the worst year for Pittsburgh sports since 1983.

? Born on Dec. 19, 1926, Bobby Layne was the first great quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Acquired in a trade from Detroit in the 1958 season, Layne played for five seasons in Pittsburgh. The Blond Bomber threw fro 15,710 yards and 118 touchdowns in his four seasons in Pittsburgh, making two Pro Bowls. He retired after the 1962 season and worked for the Steelers as a quarterbacks coach. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. Layne died in 1986 at the age of 59.

? Monday marked the 40th anniversary of Franco Harris’ last touchdown of his career. He also becomes the first player in NFL history to have eight seasons with 1,000 yards rushing. His touchdown is the 100th regular season touchdown of his career and occurs on the last play of the game, though it doesn’t change the outcome, a 30-17 loss to the Browns at Cleveland Municipal Stadium.

NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins blew a three-goal lead, but Sidney Crosby was there to save the day.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: The Pittsburgh Pirates have added a second starting pitcher, inking Martín Pérez to a one-year deal.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Duquesne basketball topped Bradley with a buzzer beater in their annual Akron game.

West Virginia Sports Now: WVU football lands Colorado State DB TJ Crandall out of the transfer portal.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State is hiring former Indiana coach Tom Allen as its new defensive coordinator.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: The MLS has pulled out of the U.S. Open Cup for 2024.