The 5: Steelers to watch in Week 9 versus Titans
The Pittsburgh Steelers (4-3) will host the Tennessee Titans (3-4) at Acrisure Stadium during primetime’s Thursday Night Football on November 2 in Week 9 of the 2023 NFL regular season. The Steelers lost their Week 8 matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars while the Titans came back to defeat the Atlanta Falcons.
Steelers Nation has been anxious about injury concerns and the short window of preparation time between Sunday’s game and the upcoming Week 9 battle. We look at five Steelers players to watch once the opening kickoff begins.
Keanu Neal and Damontae Kazee
News this week is that Joey Porter, Jr. will keep a starting spot at cornerback for the Steelers, finally, but the hamstring injury to All-pro veteran safety Minkah Fitzpatrick – and his designation as “out” against the Titans – has Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin firmly decisive that the committee that will be called upon are Kazee at free safety and Keanu Neal at strong safety.
“Guys are going to have to do some different things, and it’s our job on the short week to try to get them in the right position so they can play to their strengths.” – Teryl Austin
Pittsburgh is well aware that there are rumblings that Will Levis, not Ryan Tannehill, will get the start on Thursday. Levis put on a show in Week 8, throwing for four touchdowns against Atlanta.
The Steelers have utilized three safety packages previously, so they are likely to rotate Miles Killebrew in, much like they did against the Jaguars, in order to allow the Steelers’ defensive front to focus on stopping the run and applying pressure to the Titans’ quarterback.
Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky
Pickett was forced out of the Week 8 game due to a rib injury sustained when, arms pinned, he was drilled to the turf by Jaguars defensive lineman Adam Gotsis. He did come back to the sideline and warm up after halftime, but the decision was made that Trubisky play the remainder of that game. Trubisky wasn’t the answer Pittsburgh needed; he threw two costly interceptions in the game that got away from the Steelers.
Pickett told the press he would play on Thursday, and (per Mark Kaboly) it caused Trubisky to leave the conference without answering questions.
Trubisky was supposed to talk to the media after Pickett but when Pickett said he’s definitely playing Trubisky then figured it wasn’t worth talking and left.
I guess he wasn’t playing in that charade
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) October 31, 2023
I read sour grapes in Kaboly’s take, but was surprised that Steelers fans utilized the X (formerly Twitter) platform to exacerbate what was one man’s opinion – “a charade” – into a “Pickett isn’t it,” beat down mixed with pleas for the team to play Mason Rudolph over both Pickett and Trubisky. The most absurd suggestions included calling Ben Roethlisberger back or getting a quarterback before the trade deadline.
If Pickett does play, it appears he will be on the hot seat with fans unless he completely stuns everyone and pulls off a miraculous performance; a more human than human recovery with nothing but a blaze of glory win as acceptable.
It seems the collective memory of times the young quarterback has brought the team back, including during the end of last season, has magically been erased in favor of a win or get lost mentality for many Pittsburgh fans.
And what do Trubisky’s actions say about him as a leader?
Related content:
- 5 Steelers surprises in Sunday’s loss against the Jaguars
- Watch: Kazee intercepts Lawrence for Steelers takeaway
Cameron Heyward
It’s been hard to wait for the return of colleague Brian E. Roach‘s “grown a** man” to get healthy enough to return to the field, but Thursday looks to be the day. Heyward was a full participant in Wednesday practice and his presence would give the Steelers a mental and confidence boost, as well as more options in limiting Derrick Henry‘s rushing yardage.
