A Steelers Depot daily segment. A quick hit of some Pittsburgh Steelers-related stories that may not require a complete and dedicated article but nuggets worth mentioning and passing on to you guys.
Your Depot After Dark for Dec. 26.
Browns Lose DTR
The Browns have placed another quarterback on IR. Joining Deshaun Watson is rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is out for the rest of the season with a hip injury.
A fifth-round pick from UCLA, Thompson-Robinson made three starts this year, including one over the Steelers in Week 12. As the Browns noted, P.J. Walker has been signed to the 53-man roster to backup starter Joe Flacco, finding magic in Cleveland as the Browns have all but locked up a playoff spot.
Depth Chart Change
Tuesday evening, the Steelers release their Week 17 gamebook that includes a weekly copy of Pittsburgh’s depth chart. Just one change this week and really a mere formality. Miles Killebrew is now listed as the team’s starting strong safety, replacing the suspended Damontae Kazee, out the final two regular season games for his hit on Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. in Week 15.
While Killebrew is listed as the starter, it was Eric Rowe and Patrick Peterson who received the starting nods in Saturday’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Killebrew did play a fair amount, most of his snaps as a de facto inside linebacker, but Rowe is likely to be elevated again. Trenton Thompson could also return this week from his neck injury and likely get the nod over Killebrew, who is primarily a special teamer with two blocked punts this year.
Noll’s Retirement
As acknowledged by the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier Tuesday, Chuck Noll retired as Pittsburgh Steelers head coach on this day in 1991. Under his leadership, the Steelers went from lovable losers to a dynasty, winning four Super Bowls throughout the 1970s and producing a slew of Hall of Famers, including Noll himself.
You can read this article recapping the day Noll stepped down. In classic-Noll fashion, it was a low-key moment announced and confirmed by Dan Rooney rather than Noll himself.
Super Bowl Up For Grabs
According to the NFL, 24 teams remain in “Super Bowl” contention (aka, not eliminated from the playoffs) entering the final two weeks of the season. That’s the most since the 2004 season. It shows the amount of parity in the league this year without clear dominant teams in either conference.
Pittsburgh is among those 24 teams, currently the AFC’s 9th seed but with clearer playoff hopes than they had entering the weekend. It should set up for one of the most exciting league finishes in recent memory.
Franco Harris Tribute
A really cool tribute to the late Franco Harris. Dylan Sadiq, better known as The College Cuber, asked fans to help him create this Harris portrait made entirely out of Rubik’s Cubes.
You can watch the video below with Steelers fans helping him make the finished product. The finished product is amazing and worth watching through.
