According to Mike Tomlin, the Steelers’ lack of physicality can be remedied with padded practices.

 

 

 

 

 

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston, during the second half of an NFL football game, running back Devin Singletary (age 26) of the Houston Texans breaks free from Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace (age 29). (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

Injuries sustained by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) force him to leave the field during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston against the Houston Texans. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston, during the second half of an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans, quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) of the Steelers is assisted following an injury. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

After suffering an injury during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) is assisted off the field. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

In the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston, defensive end Jonathan Greenard (52) of the Houston Texans sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8). (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

Safety of the Houston Texans The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jaylen Warren, 30, is forced to fumble by Jalen Pitre, 5, during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston. Pittsburgh got the ball back. (David J. Phillip/AP Photo)

Following a catch, Houston Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (39), a Pittsburgh Steelers tight end (88), is tackled by him during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Houston. (Eric Christian Smith/AP Photo)

Pittsburgh (AP) Mike Tomlin thinks a padded session will take care of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ lack of aggression in a one-sided defeat to Houston.

Less than 48 hours after declaring that there will be “changes” following the Texans’ 30–6 hammering, Tomlin made a different kind of statement on Tuesday.

AFC North foe Baltimore (3-1) will visit on Sunday. If any adjustments are made in advance of this game, they won’t involve changing the playcaller for an offense that leads the NFL in first downs while managing four touchdowns in its first four games.

When asked directly if he intended to take over play-calling duties from the struggling offensive coordinator Matt Canada, Tomlin said, “At this point, no.”

Tomlin instead emphasized the importance of wearing the pads during practice, something the staff had neglected to do for the previous two weeks after the primetime games. During one of those trips, a mechanical problem with the club’s charter plane caused an unplanned layover in Kansas City on the way home from Las Vegas.

According to Tomlin, the Steelers needed more time to “warm up” for the game on Sunday because there were no padded workouts. Houston had no such issue, outgaining Pittsburgh for extended periods of time and amassing 451 yards.

Tomlin stated, “The physical component of it needs to be non-negotiable.” That’s just the way we work. That is football for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Perhaps in the past, but not this deep into the season’s first month. Pittsburgh’s offense has struggled, especially at the beginning of games. Moreover, the run defense has been mediocre at best due to defensive lineman Cam Heyward’s two-month absence following groin surgery.

In three of the last four games, the Steelers have allowed at least 139 yards on the ground to the opposition. Furthermore, even if the Texans were unable to score in the same fashion that San Francisco and Cleveland had earlier in the season, when Houston attempted to score, the pile was “always pushing forward.”

Tomlin acknowledged that his squad was not prepared to match Houston’s tenacity from the start of the game and said his team will pick up the pace this week in practice.

Pittsburgh (2-2) doesn’t really have an option if it hopes to have any chance of slowing down the Ravens. After four games, Baltimore and standout quarterback Lamar Jackson rank among the top four teams in the NFL in terms of rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns.

Tomlin stated, “We have to correct our physicality.”

on both sides of the ball, which may be difficult given Pittsburgh’s shifting offensive line. With starting left tackle Dan Moore Jr. out due to a knee injury, Broderick Jones, a first-round choice, will make his left tackle debut. Due to a groin ailment, tight end Pat Freiermuth is questionable, but Tomlin is hopeful guard James Daniels will be able to play following his absence in Houston.

Kenny Pickett, the quarterback, will practice on Wednesday after leaving the game in the third quarter due to a bone bruise in his left knee. Whether or not Pickett can play on Sunday will depend on how he handles the workload throughout practice. Mitch Trubisky, the backup, will start in his place if he is unable to.

Tomlin wants the quarterback, preferably Pickett, to make choices more quickly in the first few minutes of a game in an attempt to get the offense moving. Even though Canada has received a lot of criticism for the Steelers’ lack of first downs in the first quarter of the season, Tomlin thinks that more “fluid” play from Pickett will help Pittsburgh get things rolling sooner.

In terms of completion percentage and passer rating, Pickett is ranked 29th. He has now thrown four interceptions, three of which occurred in the first half.

Tomlin stated, “I believe that’ll be a focus for him and for us because it’s not just him.” We must do our assignments flawlessly. Guy needs to be where he needs to be if we hit the ball and get out on time. They must swiftly and individually prevail in one-on-one matches.