Teresa Varley

Thursday, December 11

Optimistic, and impatient:The Steelers are hoping to get defensive lineman Derrick Harmon back this week, something Coach Mike Tomlin hinted at as the team's No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has missed the last two games with a knee injury.

"I'm optimistic," said Harmon. "Really just trying to take it day-by-day and once my number is called, get back out there.

"Kind of getting impatient."

That impatience isn't something that is easy for Harmon to deal with, especially this being his second injury this season after not dealing with injuries in college.

"For me, it's kind of tough because I haven't been a type of guy that got injured a lot," said Harmon. "And I come to NFL, and it happened twice in my rookie year, so it's kind of hard.

"But it's part of the game, so I've just got to stay optimistic and really just stay on course."

Keeping a positive approach has also been a key.

Harmon missed the first two games of the season with a separate knee injury and said it was tough staying positive then.

This time it's been different.

"This go around was really for me just staying positive," said Harmon. "The first go around, I don't feel like I was really as positive. This one I'm just trying to stay as positive as I can through this process.

"Just being in the building, showing up to meetings and still preparing like I'm still going to play the game. That's how I look at it."

His hope is when he steps back onto the field is that it's seamless, as he likes the way the defense is playing together.

"I feel like as a unit, as a defense, we're playing together, we're doing our jobs together," said Harmon. "Guys are doing their assignments. We've just got to continue to do that at a high level."

And this week will be another tough test with Dolphins running back De'Von Achane.

Achane, who is third in the NFL in rushing, had 92 yards rushing against the New York Jets last week, before leaving the game early injured.

Jaylen Wright stepped in, finishing the game with 107 yards.

"They like to get that ball in the perimeter outside," said Harmon. "We've got to set the edges and feed the ball back inside to all the guys and I feel like we've got a good plan for that."

The Skow must go on:It's not a coincidence that receiver Ben Skowronek is the leading vote getter for the special teams spot for the Pro Bowl Games.

Skowronek thrives in his role as a gunner, knowing it takes a different kind of person to do it.

"You're going to get your (butt) kicked sometimes, especially when you're getting doubled," said Skowronek. "It's a sign of respect. It's two grown men against one. You're going to lose some, but you've got to have grit, keep fighting back. It's not always going to be clean.

"If you're not getting doubled, you're probably not going to be in the league that long. It means that the other team doesn't really respect you much, so I kind of take offense to not getting double teamed."

Skowronek said that attitude and mentality about playing gunner wasn't always something he had, but it grew and developed when he played one season at Notre Dame.

"I don't think I always had that as a football player," said Skowronek. "I think I always played hard, but my year at Notre Dame really molded me. That culture there really helped me become the player I am. Coach (Brian) Kelly did a great job there with the culture and Coach (Matt) Balis, the strength coach. It was the hardest strength program I've ever been through. So, I think that was a big year in my football development."

That toughness showed against the Ravens. Skowronek was dealing with a hand injury in the game, and when the Steelers were forced to punt with just over two minutes to play in the game, receiver DK Metcalf told Skowronek he would take his spot since he was hurting.

"I've never seen it before," said Skowronek of someone like Metcalf going out and taking a rep at gunner like that. "Showed a lot about who he is, as I've never had any questions about who he is as a competitor. To go out there and play gunner after never playing gunner.

"Like Coach (Mike) Tomlin said, the moment was thick, cut the air with a knife, so for him to do that was pretty cool."

Skowronek wasn't about to fully give it up, though.

Yes, Metcalf went in and drew a double team.

But Skowronek was on the other side, doing his part and drawing a holding call.

"(DK) was already on the field, so I went out there to line up," said Skowronek. "He said, I got it. He kind of looked at me crazy. In my mind I was like, okay, DK's got this side. There's two gunners out there, so I went over to Brandin Echols, and said I got this side. He looked at me. He's about to go play defense. So, he said all right.

"I wanted to be on the field in that situation because I feel like I cover kicks for a living and it was a big moment."

Getting his feet wet:While he might not have caught a pass in his first game in black and gold, with just one target late in the game, receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling still felt good about his first outing with the Steelers.

"Obviously, just getting my feet wet," said Valdes-Scantling. "I think I only played 15 plays or something like that. So, it was good.

"Just to be able to get back out there. Obviously, I've been here a couple of weeks now, so being able to get on the field try to help this team win games."

Valdes-Scantling was signed to the Steelers practice squad on Nov. 4.

But he didn't come in with normal practice squad credentials.

Valdes-Scantling was originally drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the 174th overall selection.

In eight seasons he has appeared in 112 games with the Packers (2018-21), Kansas City Chiefs (2022-23), Buffalo Bills (2024), New Orleans Saints (2024), San Francisco 49ers (2025) and now the Steelers. He has 209 receptions for 3,606 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also has 10 carries for 52 yards.

It was his time with the Packers that he formed not just an on-field bond with quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but a friendship that can pay dividends on the field.

"Obviously, I didn't have any catches last week, but Aaron and I are really good friends," said Valdes-Scantling. "We spent a lot of time together off the field talking football, and his locker's right next to mine, so we talk all the time. Being able to get on the same page and learn this offense, it's been good and hopefully we can continue that whenever my number's called again."

Last week Rodgers commented about the type of practice the team had, saying how good it was and the veteran presence at receiver, with Valdes-Scantling and recently acquired Adam Thielen added to that.

Valdes-Scantling echoed the thoughts on how good the practice was, and said the key is replicating that this week.

"I've been in the league quite some time now and been on some really good teams," said Valdes-Scantling. "Those practices last week felt like the practices that I had when I was on those really good teams.

"If we can continue to do that it'll obviously translate over to the game.

"I think everyone just being critical of themselves as well as the mistakes that they make and how to correct them, and then try not to make those mistakes when we get to practice so when we get to the game they carry over,"

Whether he gets the call up again from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive roster for the Dolphins game like he did for the Ravens game is yet to be seen, but his comfort level with the offense and his adjustment have him in a place where he can easily do just that.

"It's a completely different system," said Valdes-Scantling of the offense he and Rodgers were a part of in Green Bay. "Me and Aaron have a lot of chemistry, but it's not anything similar to what we were doing when we were together in Green Bay. There's some carryover, but all the signals are different, all the play calls are different.

"So just being able to learn as much as I could, as fast as I could. It wasn't a difficult process for me to learn, but obviously they had guys playing and they wanted those guys to play and my number was called. I want to be able to get out there."

On the run:Another week, another top running back for the Steelers.

This is the fourth time this season the Steelers have faced one of the NFL's top running backs, including Derrick Henry, James Cook and Jonathan Taylor.

Now they face the challenge of the Dolphins De'Von Achane, who is third in the NFL in rushing. Achane had 92 yards rushing against the New York Jets last week, before leaving the game early injured.

Jaylen Wright stepped in, finishing the game with 107 yards.

"Can't say enough about Achane and their running game and how they been playing behind that over the course of the last month or so when they've been on that win streak," said Coach Mike Tomlin.

"Even last week with Wright they were able to do similar things that they've done. They've really anchored down and established a personality there."

And it's not just the ground game that has Tomlin's attention.

"They utilize a lot of people," said Tomlin. "They utilize a lot of personnel groups that work to keep you off balance that way.

"They've got a veteran offensive staff. (I) know a lot of guys on the offensive side of the ball. So, certainly we'll be utilizing the additional time to prepare ourselves not only strategically, but also just getting really familiar with their personnel.

"It's been a number of years since we've seen these guys, and certainly I will take the additional day to get familiar with that component of the matchup as well."

Give him your support:Linebacker Alex Highsmith understands the impact he can have in the community.

He knows the platform he has been entrusted with to touch the lives of others.

And he has taken advantage of it, making a significant difference in the communities that matter the most to him.

Through the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, he has opened his arms and his heart to three places that are important to him, including Pittsburgh, his hometown of Wilmington, N.C., and Charlotte, N.C., where he played college football.

He uses his work in his foundation to empower the next generation through fitness, education and community.

And that is why Highsmith is the Steelers Club Winner for the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, presented by Nationwide. Every team selects a player as the Club Winner for the award, and the overall winner is announced at NFL Honors ahead of the Super Bowl.

"I am so humbled, honored, and grateful to be the Steelers' nominee for this year's Walter Payton Man of The Year," said Highsmith. "I truly believe that God has given me this platform to be a blessing to others, especially in the communities that I love. Walter Payton is one of the best football players of all time, but his true impact and legacy is felt today through the way he lifted up his community. I'm grateful to be able to make an impact off the field like he did.

"I believe that my purpose in life is to bring glory to God by serving others. He gave me this platform for that reason. To be a light and to serve others through the love of Christ. I love what I get to do on the field, but what I do off the field to make a positive impact in my community will always be most important to me."

Fans can help Highsmith's charity, the Alex Highsmith Family Foundation, through Nationwide's Charity Challenge.

Voting for the Charity Challenge runs through Jan. 5, with winner announced on Jan. 7.

Fans have the option to vote online or via X.

- Vote directly at NFL.com/manoftheyear.

- Post #WPMOYChallenge on X along with Highsmith's full name: #WPMOYChallenge Alex Highsmith

- All votes count twice during Double Vote Days on Tuesday, December 16 and Friday, January 2.

- Nationwide will donate $35,000, $10,000, and $5,000 to the nonprofit organizations designated by the first, second, and third-place finishers, respectively.

Cast your vote:Pro Bowl Games voting is underway in the NFL and there are multiple Steelers players ranked in the Top 10 in votes at their respective positions.

Among those players in the Top 10 at their positions are Ben Skowronek, who is first in special teams, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who is fifth, fullback Connor Heyward is fifth, and free safety Jalen Ramsey is 10th.

The Pro Bowl Games will be held on Tuesday, February 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco as part of Super Bowl LX week.

Fans can vote as often as they would like to send Steelers players to the Pro Bowl Games from now until December 15. Fan votes count for one-third of the overall votes, along with player and coaches votes each counting for one third as well.

Social voting Fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by posting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official X handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include either #ProBowlVote or Pro Bowl Vote. During the final two days (Dec. 14-15), social votes will count as double.

Madden Mobile New this year, fans can access Pro Bowl Games voting on Madden NFL 26 Mobile through the Pro Bowl event tile in the Madden Mobile Ultimate Team mode. Votes can be made using Ballot Tokens (up to 30 per day) and Ballot Tokens reset daily at 10:30 a.m. ET. Votes on Madden Mobile also count double during the final two days of voting (Dec. 14-15).

The Pro Bowl Games will once again feature a flag football game and other fun, competitive events. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the game starting at 8 p.m.

-->>Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.

Monday, December 8

December football is underway:For many people, December means the start of the holiday season.

For cornerback Joey Porter Jr., December is all about football season.

While things obviously start in September, it's when December hits that the intensity picks up and football at its finest is played.

"We've been trying to say we've been going on this December run and pick up what we've been slacking," said Porter. "So, it's December ball. This is where it really matters the most. Where you can really make your plays and make your money.

"We're all locked in, we're all really motivated to keep putting good football out there."

The Steelers kicked off the month defeating the Baltimore Ravens, 27-22, at M&T Bank Stadium to take sole possession of first place in the AFC North.

But the job is far from finished.

"We just have to believe in one thing, and all chase the same thing, and I feel like we'll win every game," said Porter.

Porter did his part against the Ravens to help get that started.

With 2:47 left to play in the game, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson hit tight end Isaiah Likely in the end zone for what was initially ruled a touchdown, which would have given the Ravens the lead.

Porter was right in on the play, breaking it up, which forced a review.

After further review, the officials ruled it incomplete.

"The ruling on the field was a touchdown," said NFL Vice President of Instant Replay Mark Butterworth, via a pool report interview with Jeff Zrebiec. "We quickly looked at the play. The receiver controlled the ball in the air, had his right foot down, then his left foot down. The control is the first aspect of the catch. The second aspect is two feet or a body part in bounds, which he did have. Then the third step is an act common to the game and before he could get the third foot down, the ball was ripped out. Therefore, it was an incomplete pass."

Porter was in agreement.

"I've seen it," said Porter. "It's a drop.

"Close though. It was really close."

Porter wasn't about to give up a touchdown, especially at that point.

"I was just fighting because I was like, man, this can't be my first touchdown I'll give up," said Porter. "Especially not to a tight end.

"I was just fighting, I was just raking and it finally came out. So, at that point, it's really up to the refs how they call it.

"But then after I looked at it, he didn't get the third step so incomplete."

It was another example of the fight the defense continues to have, even through tough times.

"Just standing tall when we needed to," said Porter. "We already knew in games when we lean on the defense to make those game stopping plays and every time our name was called, we made those plays, somebody stepped up and made their plays.

"So, we just have got to continue to keep doing that and keep fighting."

Next man up:The next man up mentality was in full effect on Sunday against the Ravens on the offensive line.

With left tackle Broderick Jones on the Reserve/Injured List, it was Andrus Peat who stepped in to his spot and start for the second straight week.

Peat, though, was evaluated for a concussion during the game and didn't return. With Calvin Anderson inactive due to an injury, it was Dylan Cook who would step in.

Cook was elevated for the game from the practice squad the day before and made sure the offensive line didn't miss a beat.

"I felt it was good," said Cook of his performance. "Definitely ready for the moment. Been prepared, so it was good to see it finally come through."

Cook had a few minutes to warm up on the sidelines before he stepped on the field because of the injury timeout, and then it was right into the fire of a Steelers-Ravens battle.

"I definitely had a couple seconds to collect myself, take some sets, get ready to go," said Cook.

And the first thought he had.

"Let's play ball," said Cook. "Nothing more to it."

Cook knew there was no other option.

"I mean, intimate divisional relationship, so energy's always high," said Cook. "They expect next man up to be able to perform at that level, so I just felt relaxed and ready to go."

Cook said it helped having such a veteran line there alongside him.

"Credit to those guys," said Cook. "Troy (Fautanu), Fraz (Zack Frazier), Mason (McCormick), Isaac (Seumalo), they have such good chemistry already. Such good communication.

"It made it easy for me. I just had to listen. Listen to Isaac and then play ball after that. They're really good players, so I just had to do my part.

"Isaac's such a dawg. He communicates. He almost over communicates. I just had to listen to what he said and play ball after that."

What Cook's role will be moving forward with injuries at the position is not known yet, but whatever it is, he will be ready.

"I can definitely relax a little bit more," said Cook after getting thrown into the fire. "Going forward, I know I can kind of take a deep breath. I have more time than I think I do when it comes to the ball being snapped, so just kind of settle in."

Cast your vote:Pro Bowl Games voting is underway in the NFL and there are multiple Steelers players ranked in the Top 10 in votes at their respective positions.

Among those players in the Top 10 at their positions are Ben Skowronek, who is first in special teams, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, who is fifth, fullback Connor Heyward is fifth, and free safety Jalen Ramsey is 10th.

The Pro Bowl Games will be held on Tuesday, February 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco as part of Super Bowl LX week.

Fans can vote as often as they would like to send Steelers players to the Pro Bowl Games from now until December 15. Fan votes count for one-third of the overall votes, along with player and coaches votes each counting for one third as well.

Social voting Fans can vote directly on "X" (formerly Twitter) by posting the first and last name of the player, tagging the player's official X handle or creating a hashtag including the player's first and last name. All three of these methods must include either #ProBowlVote or Pro Bowl Vote. During the final two days (Dec. 14-15), social votes will count as double.

Madden Mobile New this year, fans can access Pro Bowl Games voting on Madden NFL 26 Mobile through the Pro Bowl event tile in the Madden Mobile Ultimate Team mode. Votes can be made using Ballot Tokens (up to 30 per day) and Ballot Tokens reset daily at 10:30 a.m. ET. Votes on Madden Mobile also count double during the final two days of voting (Dec. 14-15).

The Pro Bowl Games will once again feature a flag football game and other fun, competitive events. Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with the game starting at 8 p.m.

-->>Vote for Steelers players for the Pro Bowl Games

Bringing you the action:For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.

**Sign up today**.