Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors: Will Diontae Johnson be ready for Sunday?
Diontae Johnson hasn't practiced since the Steelers season-opening loss against the San Francisco 49ers. While the team is now 3-2, sitting in second place in the AFC North, Pittsburgh has a tough task ahead of them vs the Los Angeles Rams next Sunday.
Johnson could be ready to go by game time, though it won't be an easy task. Johnson mentioned that he hopes to play, but he'll need clearance from the team's medical staff beforehand. Expect him to be a game-time decision. Johnson also expressed confidence in fellow wide receiver George Pickens.
"George is going to be George out there," Johnson said. "Me and him on the field at the same time, we feed off each other. When he makes a play, I make a play. I love that. I love when he makes a play. That gets me hype and vice versa."
Pickens has come through in some large moments prior to the bye week, including against the Baltimore Ravens, when the Steelers were able to defeat their rivals in a fourth quarter comeback. The Steelers offense hasn't looked right all year, but Johnson thinks he can make a difference.
"Really we've just got to start fast," Johnson said. "That's been our main focus is starting fast. If we don't come out and start fast, we have to play behind the sticks and it's going to be a tough, long game. But if we come out there and start fast, everything will be fine."
Johnson was Pittsburgh's No. 1 option prior to the season. Perhaps his return can bring Pickett some comfort he was previously lacking.
Pittsburgh Steelers rumors: Desmond King is gone and replaced
The Steelers were floating Desmond King in trade rumors, but ultimately could not find a partner for the veteran cornerback. Pittsburgh signed the former Iowa Hawkeye as the 53rd player on their roster. He made an appearance in just one play, and it didn't particularly go well. So, King is out.
To replace King, Pittsburgh signed cornerback Darius Rush off of the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. He will likely take King's spot on the roster eventually, as the Steelers need secondary depth.
Per the Steelers official press release, "Rush played collegiately at the University of South Carolina where he began his career as a receiver, but switched to cornerback. He appeared in 43 games, starting 21 of them. He recorded 74 tackles, including 60 solo stops, 15 passes defensed, four tackles for a loss, three interceptions, a sack and a forced fumble. In 2022 he started nine games, recording a career-high 38 tackles, 28 of them solo stops."
So, perhaps Rush won't be the same pushover King was, or he'll fit better in this secondary group.
Pittsburgh Steelers Rumors: A former player could replace Matt Canada?
With the news that Matt Canada is unlikely to be let go until the end of the season, many potential replacements have been named, including Jon Gruden. As FanSided's Chris Kline noted, replacing Canada with a problematic figure in Gruden doesn't make a lot of sense, despite his ability as a play caller.
"The Steelers would be replacing one mediocre coach without another, more problematic mediocre coach in the instance of a Canada-Gruden swap. Tomlin deserves some creative freedom when building out his coaching staff, but it's time to get rid of Canada and definitely not time to bring the beleaguered Gruden into the mix. Pittsburgh should avoid this outcome at all costs."
There are plenty of alternatives for Mike Tomlin to consider, including Byron Leftwich, who has reportedly thrown his name into the mix. Former Steeler Antwaan Randle El is an intriguing option, as well. Randle El is the Lions receivers coach, and is thriving in Detroit. Were Ben Johnson to leave for a head coaching job after this season in Detroit, Randle El will receive plenty of attention as a possible replacement.
Instead, he could leave for Pittsburgh, which makes a lot of sense if Tomlin and Pittsburgh are willing to stay loyal.
