Daily News & Links: Steelers Underdogs vs. Indy, Big Ben Ripped

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.

🏈 Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has cleared concussion protocol and was cleared by an independent neurological consultant. He will play against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday in a pivotal matchup for both teams. Having Watt active is huge for Pittsburgh. The Steelers are 36-16-1 and allow 19.6 points per game with Watt in the lineup since 2020. They are 1-9 and allow 26.6 points per game without Watt since 2020.

🏈 Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has a 16.3% run stop percentage since Week 10, which ranks first in the NFL during that period, according to Pro Football Focus.

🏈 NFL.com released its preview for the Steelers-Colts game on Saturday. Six of the 10 analyst have the Colts beating the Steelers.

Steelers-Colts Picks. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/ABHJZWc7TT

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 13, 2023

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.

🏈 The Steelers have averaged fewer points per game since Matt Canada was let go. The Steelers’ PPG with Canada was 16.6. In three games without him, it’s been 14.7 points per game. However, their yardage per game has increased from 280.1 yards per game to 334 since Canada was fired.

🏈 Ian Whetstone painted an amazing portrait of Mean Joe Greene.

I dunno why it took me this long to do a Mean Joe Greene portrait, but here we are. The greatest Steeler. Played around a little with what to do with the background in this one. pic.twitter.com/okbgzGHgzl

— Ian Whetstone (@IanWhetstone) December 12, 2023

🎂 Happy Birthday to former Steelers inside linebacker Robert Spillane, born on December 14, 1995 in Oak Park, Illinois. Spillane is currently the starting middle linebacker for the Las Vegas Raiders. He has 115 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for losses, three interceptions and four passes defended this season. In Week 10, Spillane recorded seven tackles, a sack, and an interception in a 16-12 win over the New York Jets, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Spillane signed a two-year contract with the Raiders in March after four seasons with the Steelers.

🎥 Stephen A. Smith said on First Take that Ben Roethlisberger’s hands are not clean in the current state of the Steelers.

Stephen A Smith says Ben Roethlisberger’s hands are not clean in all of this. (Via First Take on ESPN) #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/3R7mpTxp5r

— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 13, 2023

NON-STEELERS NEWS FROM AROUND THE SPORTS NOW NETWORK

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Jeff Carter scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins got two power play goals to beat the Arizona Coyotes, 4-2.

Pittsburgh Baseball Now: Star Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Endy Rodriguez will miss the entire 2024 season after a winter league injury that required Tommy John surgery.

Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt’s new offensive coordinator could be bringing his running back with him.

West Virginia Sports Now: Ayden Garnes, a defensive back transferring from Duquesne, is expected to make his decision on Friday. West Virginia is among his finalists.

Nittany Sports Now: Penn State named its Pittsburgh center after late Steelers legend Franco Harris.

Pittsburgh Soccer Now: Will the Pittsburgh Riverhounds turn unprecedented success into improved recruitment?