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Behind the Steel Curtain

A level-headed news-discussion site with a sense of history and community

Latest Entries

Mike Tomlin praises James Pierre for recent play

The Steelers have shifted their secondary in numerous ways since Juan Thornhill dubbed the defense as potentially one of the best of all time. Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay have missed time with injuries. Safety DeShon Elliott is likely out for the year. Thornhill was cut on Monday, and the Steelers acquired Kyle Dugger […]

Why are the Steelers so bad on third down?

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in a month-long funk. They’ve lost three of their last four games, the latest of which was a 25-10 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. One thing that has stood out throughout the span of this slump is how dreadful Pittsburgh’s offense is on third down. In their last […]

Steelers Read & React: Making chicken salad out of chicken— you know what

There’s no way to sugarcoat it. The Steelers are coming off another soul-crushing loss. Making matters worse, Sunday’s bout against the Chargers was another lopsided defeat on primetime. That means there were millions of eyes on the Steelers’ latest episode of dysfunction, and thus even more of the same old discussions and jokes around the […]

Broderick Jones, Alex Highsmith miss practice with surprise injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers are entering must-win territory as they enter the back half of their schedule, and they’ll take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 in hopes of getting to 6-4. The Steelers held their first practice of the week, and a surprise name did not practice due to injury. Left tackle Broderick Jones […]

Steelers activate QB Will Howard

The Pittsburgh Steelers made a big move on Tuesday, signing free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. to their practice squad. When Samuel will make his Steelers’ debut is unknown, but considering how quickly Kyle Dugger has stepped in and been productive, Samuel could take the field as early as Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. […]

Wednesday links: How soon can Asante Samuel Jr. play?

It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time for a weekly Steelers links roundup at BTSC. But first, let’s take a look around the AFC North: What’s the latest on the Steelers’ upcoming opponent? (In this case, more Bengals links): Now, onto some Steelers news and discussion: Aaron Rodgers struggles in Steelers’ loss: ‘I got to play better than this’ (From […]

Report: Steelers cut safety, making room for Asante Samuel Jr.

The Steelers cut safety Darrick Forest from the team’s practice squad, Steelers Now’s Alan Saunders reported Tuesday. The move gives the Steelers the space make room for the reported signing of free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. Forest signed with the Steelers practice squad on Oct. 28 following DeShon Elliott’s injury against the Green Bay […]

Steelers signing CB Asante Samuel Jr

The Pittsburgh Steelers are making a big splash signing deep into the season and adding to their defensive secondary in a big way. Per Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers are signing cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. “Free-agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. is signing with the Steelers practice squad, per source,” Fowler reports. “A top-25 free agent in […]

Mike Tomlin says Steelers need more out of receivers

The Pittsburgh Steelers posted their worst offensive performance of the season in a disappointing 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Pittsburgh began the scoring with a first-quarter first goal, but didn’t score its lone touchdown until the final three minutes with the game out of reach. DK Metcalf led the Steelers […]

Mike Tomlin explains why Steelers released Juan Thornhill

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter Week 11 at 5-4 following a 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, marking their third loss in four games. In the aftermath of the game, the Steelers released safety Juan Thornhill, whom they signed this past offseason. In conjunction with that move, the Steelers brought back rookie safety Sebastian Castro, […]

Let’s talk Steelers: Is Pittsburgh a playoff team?

In Week 9, the Steelers dominated the AFC No. 1 seed Colts. They followed up that performance with a blowout loss against the now-No. 5 seed Chargers in Week 10. After a 4-1 start, the Steelers have dropped to 5-4 on the season — and the last two weeks have marked the team’s best win […]

Eagles at Packers: Week 10 Monday Night Football game thread

It should be a good Monday Night Football matchup to close out Week 10 as the 6-2 Philadelphia Eagles take on the 5-2-1 Green Bay Packers. It’s a battle between two teams that have looked dominant at times this season, but are still far from perfect. The game could also have ramifications in the NFL […]

Steelers bring back rookie safety

The Steelers didn’t take long to fill the roster spot vacated by Monday’s release of safety Juan Thornhill. Per a report from KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Steelers were awarded safety Sebastian Castro off of waivers from the Buccaneers the same day. The team later confirmed the signing and Thornhill’s release. Castro, an undrafted free agent […]

Steelers cut safety Juan Thornhill

The Steelers released veteran safety Juan Thornhill today, per a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo. The team later late confirmed Thornhill’s release and the addition of safety Sebastian Castro on waivers. Per Rapoport, Thornhill will hit waivers before free agency. Thornhill didn’t play a single defensive snap against the Chargers or […]

Steelers open as heavy favorites vs. Bengals

The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost three of their last four games, most recently a 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10. The loss sent the Steelers to 5-4 on the season, and also brought the Baltimore Ravens within one game of the Steelers for the AFC North lead. Despite the one-sided loss, […]

5 takeaways from the Steelers’ 25-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers

A late, garbage-time touchdown saved the Steelers-Chargers final score from looking like the blowout loss it actually was. Ultimately, the Steelers fell 25-10 on the road on Sunday Night Football, moving to 1-3 in the team’s last four games. As always, there are plenty of takeaways to be had. 1. You never know which Steelers […]

Steelers CB Darius Slay in concussion protocol following loss vs. Chargers

Starting cornerback Darius Slay had the only injury of note for the Steelers in Pittsburgh’s Sunday night loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, head coach Mike Tomlin said following the game. In his postgame press conference, Tomlin said Slay is in concussion protocol, adding, “We’ll see where that leads us this week.” “The rest is […]

Joey Porter Jr. injured vs. Chargers

The Pittsburgh Steelers trail the Los Angeles Chargers 15-3 at the time of writing after the Chargers kicked a long field goal to extend their lead to 12. On that drive, though, the Steelers lost their second cornerback of the night. Joey Porter Jr. left the game after what looked like a hand injury. He […]

Steelers CB Darius Slay leaves SNF vs. Chargers, ruled OUT with concussion

UPDATE: Slay has been ruled out with a concussion. Steelers cornerback Darius Slay left Pittsburgh’s Sunday Night Football matchup with the Chargers after taking a hit to the head early in the second quarter. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Slay is being evaluated for a concussion. While tackling Chargers running back Kimani Vidal, Slay was hit […]

Steelers vs. Chargers: Week 10 SNF game thread

After a long wait, kickoff is finally here. The 5-3 Pittsburgh Steelers are taking on the 6-3 Chargers in Los Angeles for this week’s Sunday Night Football. Enjoy the game with your fellow Steeler fans here at BTSC, and while you wait for it to start, let us know your predictions, who you have in […]

Steelers, Chargers announce inactives for Week 10 SNF

With just over an hour until kickoff, the Steelers and Chargers have released their inactive lists ahead of Week 10’s Sunday Night Football. Steelers Inactives No. 13 WR Scotty MillerNo. 40 S Jabrill PeppersNo. 55 LB Cole HolcombNo. 73 OL Isaac SeumaloNo. 78 DT Brodric Martin-RhodesNo. 91 DL Logan Lee Chargers Inactives No. 23 S […]