Coming off their bye, the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the New Orleans Saints at Acrisure Stadium. The Saints last played on Monday night and now find themselves on the road on a short week.
The big storyline will be the return of TJ Watt who said he doesn’t expect to be on a pitch count. Unfortunately, the full defense will not be intact because Minkah Fitzpatrick had an emergency appendectomy. That should hold him out for about 3 weeks. He started reporting some discomfort on practice on Friday before being diagnosed with appendicitis. So Damontae Kazee and TJ Watt are back, but Minkah Fitzpatrick is out for a while now. It has been that kind of season for the Steelers this year.
STEELERS INACTIVE PLAYERS
CB Ahkello Witherspoon
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
QB Mason Rudolph
S Elijah Riley
G Kendrick Green
ILB Mark Robinson
SAINTS INACTIVE PLAYERS
RB Mark Ingram
CB Marshon Lattimore
G Andrus Peat
LB Pete Werner
S Marcus Maye
TE J.P. Holtz
DE Marcus Davenport
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The Steelers lose the coin toss and will get the ball first at home.
START OF GAME.
The kickoff resulted in a touchback.
On 1st down, Kenny Pickett targeted George Pickens, but the pass fell incomplete. Pickett missed Pickens a little behind him. On 2nd down, Pickett passed to Gunner Olszewski who picked up 4 yards on a pop pass. 3rd and 6, the Steelers avoid the three-and-out with a 14 yard completion to George Pickens.
On 1st down, Najee Harris got the handoff and rushed for about 3 yards up the middle. On 2nd, Pickett rolled out to his right and threw the ball away. On 3rd, Pickett tried to squeeze one in to Freiermuth at the sticks, but the pass was broken up.
Pressley Harvin’s punt traveled 45 yards and was fair caught at the New Orleans 9 yard line.
On the first defensive play, TJ Watt and Cameron Heyward combined for the tackle for no gain. On 2nd down, TJ Watt stuffed Taysom Hill for no gain. On 3rd and 13, Andy Dalton’s pass went just three yards. Spillane in coverage to tackle the catch. The punt gives the Steelers the ball at the 43 yard line.
