Diontae Johnson
FILE - Cutouts of Minnesota Vikings fans are shown in the stands of US Bank Stadium during the second half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis, in this Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, file photo. The eight teams hosting NFL playoff games this month are more than happy to be staying home with all of comfort it brings, but the actual advantage of playing there all but disappeared during this pandemic season of mostly empty stadiums.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
No place like home? Host advantage vanished in year of virus

By Dave Campbell Jan. 05, 2021 07:35 PM EST

Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) breaks a tackle from Pittsburgh Steelers free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (39) and rushes for a 47-yard touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Steelers enter playoffs confident late fade wasn't an omen

By Will Graves Jan. 04, 2021 05:23 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Steelers QB Rudolph shows poise in return to Cleveland

By Will Graves Jan. 03, 2021 06:22 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) celebrates with wide receivers Chase Claypool (11) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) after making a touchdown catch against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Steelers can exhale after a wearying run to AFC North title

By Will Graves Dec. 28, 2020 12:09 PM EST

Indianapolis Colts strong safety Khari Willis (37) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Steelers rally past Colts to end skid, lock up AFC North

By Will Graves Dec. 27, 2020 04:28 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) greets Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) as the teams warm up before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Indianapolis Colts at Pittsburgh Steelers 12/27/2020

Dec. 27, 2020 01:14 PM EST

Cincinnati Bengals' Carl Lawson (58) sacks Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Steelers QB Roethlisberger on slide: "I need to play better"

By Will Graves Dec. 23, 2020 03:26 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger warms up before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals 12/21/2020

Dec. 21, 2020 07:42 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars running back James Robinson, right, gains yardage as he tires to get past Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Soaring Ravens can't afford letdown against lowly Jaguars

By David Ginsburg Dec. 17, 2020 05:18 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner (30) is gang tackled by Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Vernon Butler (94) and Harrison Phillips (99) during the first half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Lack of balance leaves Steelers, Roethlisberger reeling

By Will Graves Dec. 14, 2020 02:55 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) celebrates with Chukwuma Okorafor after taking a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the second half of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Steelers suddenly on the skids after dismal loss to Buffalo

By Will Graves Dec. 14, 2020 12:51 AM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) leaps over Washington Football Team cornerback Ronald Darby (23) after taking a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
First loss leaves Steelers with plenty to work on

By Will Graves Dec. 08, 2020 02:14 PM EST

Washington Football Team wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) after making a catch during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Washington Football Team at Pittsburgh Steelers 12/7/2020

Dec. 07, 2020 05:14 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool (11) tries but can't make a reception in front of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Chris Claybrooks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Tunnel vision: Unbeaten Steelers focused on 1-0, not 16-0

By Will Graves Nov. 23, 2020 06:41 PM EST

Cleveland Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki celebrates after running for a 50-yard interception return touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
NFL Today, Week 11

By The Associated Press Nov. 22, 2020 09:17 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34) celebrates with teammates after he intercepted a Jacksonville Jaguars pass during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jaguars facing another QB decision after Luton's debacle

By Mark Long Nov. 22, 2020 06:45 PM EST

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) can't make the catch as Jacksonville Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Steelers dominate skidding Jaguars 27-3, remain unbeaten

By Mark Long Nov. 22, 2020 04:19 PM EST

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Jake Luton, left, throws a pass as he is rushed by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Stamey)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars 11/22/2020

Nov. 22, 2020 01:32 PM EST

Jags activate Hayden from IR, expect him to play vs Steelers

Nov. 21, 2020 05:03 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars activated veteran cornerback D.J. Hayden from injured reserve Saturday and expect him to play significantly...

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) is tacked after making a catch by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Isiah Swann (37) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Steelers' Smith-Schuster still 'lit' but with a dash of grit

By Will Graves Nov. 19, 2020 05:05 PM EST