Category: NFL

Ravens’ Humphrey says he has virus; Packers also have 1 case

Ravens’ Humphrey says he has virus; Packers also have 1 case
By DAVID GINSBURG AP Sports Writer
Baltimore Ravens All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey says he has tested positive for the coronavirus. In a post on Twitter, Humphrey wrote Monday: “I got the Rona hopefully I’ll be back healthy soon.” Humphrey missed practice last Wednesday with what the team described as an “illness” but returned Thursday and played in Sunday’s 28-24 loss to Pittsburgh. Green Bay also reported having a player test positive, and the Browns said they would hold meetings remotely on Monday after an active player was experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus.

Moving on up: LB Williamson goes from Jets to Steelers

Moving on up: LB Williamson goes from Jets to Steelers
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Linebacker Avery Williamson is going from winless to undefeated. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who are 7-0, have acquired Williamson from the 0-8 New York Jets. The Jets also sent a 2022 seventh-round draft pick to the Steelers for Pittsburgh’s 2022 fifth-rounder. The deal moves Williamson from one of the NFL’s worst teams to one of its best. The Steelers have yet to lose but are in need of depth at inside linebacker following a season-ending injury to rising star Devin Bush last month. Williamson is in the final year of a three-year contract he signed with the Jets in 2018.

Under pressure: Steelers’ sack streak at 63 and counting

Under pressure: Steelers’ sack streak at 63 and counting
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers will take the third-longest sack streak in NFL history with them when they travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens. The Steelers have had at least one sack in 63 games, five short of the record set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers between 1999 and 2003. Pittsburgh will have its hands full extending its streak to 65 games when it takes on Baltimore and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson. Jackson is one of the league’s most dynamic players, though the Steelers sacked him five times when the teams met in Pittsburgh last season.

Steelers dominate early, hold off Titans for 27-24 win

Steelers dominate early, hold off Titans for 27-24 win
By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers stand alone as the AFC’s last undefeated team thanks to a dominant start and a bit of late luck. Ben Roethlisberger threw two touchdown passes to Diontae Johnson, and the Steelers remained perfect by holding off Tennessee 27-24 Sunday in a game originally scheduled for Oct. 4 and rescheduled by the Titans with the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak during the season. Stephen Gostkowski, who made a 51-yarder earlier in Tennessee’s comeback try, missed a 45-yarder wide right with 14 seconds left that sent the Steelers running around in celebration.

Delay makes showdown bigger for undefeated Steelers, Titans

Delay makes showdown bigger for undefeated Steelers, Titans
By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have been through so much dealing with the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak during the season resulting in one game postponed and rescheduled to a second game pushed to a rare Tuesday night kickoff. Now they host one of the NFL’s two other remaining undefeated teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers finally coming to town Sunday to play that first game postponed by the coronavirus pandemic. The Titans also heard the talk they should be punished, even Steelers tight end Eric Ebron’s call to make them forfeit. Titans linebacker Rashaan Evans says this is the type of game players want.

Steelers Devin Bush Knee Injury Ends his 2020 Season

Pittsburgh second-year inside linebacker Devin Bush sustained what coach Mike Tomlin called a “significant knee injury” in Pittsburgh’s 38-7 rout of the Browns on Sunday.

Bush, who had not missed a defensive snap all season, injured his left knee in the second quarter when he took an awkward step while attempting to break up a pass.

“Devin is a great player,” Steelers outside linebacker Bud Dupree said. “He’s one of the most underrated guys on the team, one of the fastest guys on the team, so anytime you lose somebody like that, it’s a big blow. But (Robert) Spillane came in and did well. He communicated well. Prayers up for Devin as he goes through recovery.”

Steelers stay perfect, blow out Mayfield, Browns 38-7

Steelers stay perfect, blow out Mayfield, Browns 38-7
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Conner ran for 101 yards and a touchdown and the Pittsburgh Steelers battered the Cleveland Browns in a 38-7 blowout victory. Pittsburgh improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1978 with the win. Ben Roethlisberger added 162 yards passing and a score as Pittsburgh emphatically ended Cleveland’s four-game winning streak while extending the Browns’ skid at Heinz Field to 17 and counting. The Browns (4-2) were unable to get anything going against a defense that sacked aching Baker Mayfield four times. Mayfield also threw a pair of interceptions and was pulled late in the third quarter.

Fred Dean, 68, fearsome pass rusher of 49ers’ dynasty, dies

Fred Dean, 68, fearsome pass rusher of 49ers’ dynasty, dies
By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The fearsome NFL pass rusher Fred Dean has died. The death of the former San Francisco 49ers star on Wednesday night was confirmed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ex-teammate Dwight Hicks says Dean was hospitalized last week with the coronavirus and was on a ventilator. Dean was a key part of the launch of the 49ers’ dynasty. He was an undersized pass rusher who began his career as a second-round pick with the San Diego Chargers in 1975 and ended it in the Hall of Fame after being named an All-Pro twice and making four Pro Bowls. Dean was an All-Pro for the Chargers in 1980 but had his biggest impact after being traded to San Francisco during the 1981 season. Fred Dean was 68 years old.

Rookie WR Claypool scores 4 TDs, Steelers top Eagles 38-29

Rookie WR Claypool scores 4 TDs, Steelers top Eagles 38-29
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool scored four touchdowns, including the clincher with 2:59 remaining, and the Pittsburgh Steelers remained unbeaten with a 38-29 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Claypool, a second-round pick from Notre Dame, finished with seven receptions for 110 yards and three scores. He also added a 2-yard rushing touchdown on the ground as the Steelers improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1979. Carson Wentz threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles and Miles Sanders ran for two scores in his return to his hometown but Philadelphia’s defense sagged late.

Unbeaten Steelers try to take unexpected bye in stride

Unbeaten Steelers try to take unexpected bye in stride
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers say they’re not going to let their unexpected week off derail their focus. Pittsburgh’s scheduled game against Tennessee was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among the Titans. The delay means the Steelers will have to end the regular season with 13 straight games, a prospect head coach Mike Tomlin says doesn’t bother him one bit. Pittsburgh is off to its best start in a decade behind the steady play of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The 38-year-old Roethlisberger has thrown seven touchdowns against one interception through three games. Pittsburgh hosts Philadelphia in Week 5.