Steelers elevate Johnson for Colts game
The Steelers elevated linebacker Kyron Johnson from the practice squad to the Active/Inactive Roster for Saturday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oild Stadium. Johnson will revert back to the practice squad after the game.
Johnson was signed to the practice squad on Oct. 10. He was also activated for the Week 13 game against the Arizona Cardinals and Week 14 game against the New England Patriots.
Johnson was drafted by the Eagles in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played in 16 games last season, mainly on special teams.
Johnson played college football at the University of Kansas where he was an All-Big 12 selection as a senior when he recorded 61 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks and forced four fumbles, which was third most in the Big-12. He also recovered two fumbles.
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The Steelers haven’t lost to the Since George W. Bush was in the White House in 2008, and they’ve never lost inside Lucas Oil Stadium. Pittsburgh’s last loss in Indianapolis came inside the RCA Dome in 2005 when they lost 26-7 on Monday Night Football.
The Steelers will need to continue that streak to keep any realistic playoff hopes alive, and we sat down with Chris Shepherd of Stampede Blue to get insight on the Colts ahead of Week 15.
Yes. Steichen has done a good job game planning and running the offense week in and week out. The offense with Richardson was the most explosive unit in the NFL during the short time the inexperienced rookie was healthy, so Colts fans are obviously bullish on the future with this head coach and quarterback pairing.
Defensively it’s been a weird year in Indianapolis. Some weeks they look like a better than average defense that can rush the passer and stop the run. Some weeks they give up 34 points to Jake Browning. Some of their high point totals came, in no small part, due to Gardner Minshew’s run of insane turnovers. In weeks 6 and 7 Minshew turned the ball over 4 times in each game and the Defense gave up 37 and 39 points respectively. So it isn’t like they’ve always been put in position to have success. Although, in week 8 they gave up 38 points to a terrible Saints offense, so there is absolutely blame to go around.
Their biggest weakness would have to be the secondary. They’ve started a 7th round rookie and a former UDFA at cornerback for most of the season and while Jaylon Jones and Darrell Baker have done admirably given the circumstances, they’re a liability. You can turn on the tape and watch the coverage they played against the Bengals and you can easily understand why Indy lost the game. Gus Bradley was terrified that his corners would get burned if they weren’t playing 10 yards off the line on most snaps. Gus was right to be worried. I think both Jones and Baker have a place in a rotation at Corner but neither should be starting.
Michael Pittman Jr. is 5 catches away from 100 and 16 yards away from rolling over 1000 on the season, I would be very surprised if he didn’t eclipse both milestones (and probably in the first half). Josh Downs is very difficult to cover in one on one situations. He wins quick against man coverage with great routes and sure hands. Downs is going to be a good player for a long time.
The past couple of games Minshew has decided to finally throw the ball down field (honestly didn’t know he could) and Alec Pierce has been given more chances to make plays on deep balls than he did in the entire first half of the season. Pierce often excels in those deep, contested catch situations but the young receiver has been inconsistent finishing those plays. He wins with very good straight line speed and between his 6’3” frame and his 40.5” vertical, not many cornerbacks can jump with the kid. He might not pull any deep shots in, but I expect them to throw a couple shots his way.
