Steelers more likely to change returners after particular groups gaffe

PITTSBURGH — Steelers rookie Kaleb Johnson “in all probability” is not going to be returning kickoffs in Week 3 after his particular groups gaffe in Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Tuesday.

Apparently believing the play can be known as useless, Johnson allowed the kickoff from Jason Myers to bounce over his head and into the tip zone within the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, in accordance with the NFL’s new kickoff guidelines, any ball that lands between the aim line and the 20-yard line and goes into the tip zone have to be returned or downed by the receiving workforce. In any other case, it is a reside ball.

Seahawks backup George Holani recovered the ball close to the again of the tip zone for a landing.

“Most likely not within the short-term,” Tomlin mentioned in his weekly information convention when requested if Johnson would proceed returning kickoffs. “I am definitely going to present [Johnson] a chance to work his method again from that. I consider in his expertise. He is a pointy younger man. He is a tough employee, and so you allow the sunshine on for him. You give him a chance to maneuver on from it, however he has to try this.

“He has to show that together with his day by day work, and he’ll earn himself again within the place to be a participant. And so we’ll see the place the rows lead us. I am open to it, definitely.”

Whereas operating again Kenneth Gainwell is the Steelers’ different return man, Tomlin mentioned he hasn’t selected potential replacements for Johnson. Throughout the preseason, the Steelers additionally used operating again Trey Sermon, now on the observe squad, as a kick returner. Second-year receiver Roman Wilson has some expertise after returning a handful of kicks at Michigan.

After the sport, Johnson expressed regret for the fielding error.

“I simply made a mistake,” mentioned Johnson. “Obtained to stay to it, transfer on, and simply proceed to get higher on daily basis.”

The Steelers have not practiced since Sunday’s loss, however Tomlin mentioned he appears ahead to seeing Johnson’s response and development from the incident.

“You have to man up, you bought to acknowledge your shortcomings, and then you definitely started working to maneuver past it,” mentioned Tomlin. “And it is my job as a pacesetter to supply that chance.

“… Overlook what you say, it is about how you progress ahead when it comes to your work, the extent of element and the consistency of it. And so, we definitely will likely be watching that intently as we push into this week.”

The Steelers even be with out a number of defensive gamers attributable to damage. Each edge rusher Alex Highsmith and defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk have been dominated out for Sunday’s recreation towards the New England Patriots with ankle sprains, with Loudermilk anticipated to overlook a number of weeks. The provision of Derrick Harmon (MCL sprain), DeShon Elliott (knee) and Joey Porter Jr. (hamstring) are thought of “questionable, at finest,” mentioned Tomlin.

Inside linebacker Patrick Queen (indirect) and cornerback Darius Slay (shoulder) have been each banged up towards the Seahawks, however Tomlin was optimistic about their availability for Sunday.

Due to these accidents, the Steelers’ schematics have been restricted and contributed to Seattle placing up 395 yards of offense.

“Our protection wore down some, notably as the sport went on,” mentioned Tomlin. “… Our strains received somewhat skinny at varied factors within the recreation. I believed we felt the results of that.

“Actually we have been considerably restricted with a few of the schematics that we wish to deploy, as a result of we had some new folks in there and we’re comparatively new to this season. We weren’t pretty much as good as I might like for us to be when it comes to our midstream adjusting, when it comes to a few of these issues.”