The Pittsburgh Steelers are 2-0 and looking to maintain pole positioning in the AFC North with their first home game of the season in Week 3. Mike Tomlin's team did enough to get by (thanks to another spectacular performance by his defense) but scoring points hasn't been easy.
On Tuesday, Tomlin spoke to the media where he mentioned players by name and spoke about Pittsburgh's quarterback situation heading into Week 3. The latest Steelers news revolves around a returning face in the secondary and an answer to the quarterback question.
Steelers sign CB James Pierre to practice squad
James Pierre is returning to Pittsburgh. His agent, Toney Scott, took to 'X' to congratulate Pierre for signing with the Steelers' practice squad.
Congrats to my client James Pierre for signing with the Steelers’ practice squad! Excited for him to contribute heavily on special teams and take the field soon. #SteelersNation #SpecialTeamsStar
— Toney Scott (@toneyscottjr) September 17, 2024
Pierre, an undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic in 2020, was on the Steelers' 53-man roster from 2020 to 2023 -- suiting up for 66 games and making six starts in Pittsburgh. Now the special teams ace will attempt to work his way up from the practice squad.
If injuries strike at the cornerback position, Pierre could be elevated to the active roster.
Steelers' Week 3 plan features Justin Fields
Mike Tomlin spoke to the media on September 17 regarding the team's quarterback situation. Though he didn't come right out and say that Justin Fields will be the starting quarterback in Week 3 against the LA Chargers, he made it clear this will be the case.
"But as I sit here today, is not scheduled to be a full participant tomorrow in practice and so we're readying ourselves around Justin and we'll stay in that mindset until something else happens," Tomlin explained. "Hypotheticals is a waste of our time now."
This will mark the third start for Fields as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Though his offense has scored 15.5 points per game, Fields has won the time of possession battle in both contests and has not turned the football over.
Steelers rise in Week 3 NFL power rankings
Following their second victory in September, the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to rise in the NFL power rankings. Eric Edholm of NFL.com moved Tomlin's team up three spots this week to claim the 14th spot in the power rankings entering Week 3.
Edholm questioned how long Pittsburgh's defense could keep up the momentum, but noted that the Steelers had 83 yards and a touchdown wiped off the board in Week 2 due to penalties. The Steelers leapfrogged the Bengals, Dolphins, and Bears in NFL.com's latest power rankings.
Mike Tomlin lists injuries heading into Week 3
Mike Tomlin touched on the Steelers' injuries sustained in Pittsburgh's Week 2 road contest against the Denver Broncos. The head coach noted that linebacker Tyler Matakevich is dealing with a hamstring injury and tight end MyCole Pruitt had a knee issue pop up.
Tomlin also added newcomer Ben Skowronek to the injury list. The big wide receiver served as a special teams gunner against the Broncos in his first action with the Steelers since being elevated from the practice squad.
Tomlin noted that he doesn't have information about all of these players and their statuses, but they are being evaluated.