Steelers News: Like 7-Eleven, JuJu Smith-Schuster says he’s always open

The Pittsburgh Steelers are moving into Week 9 of the NFL regular season, and as the team prepares for the Indianapolis Colts this week we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the next game starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how JuJu Smith-Schuster is making the “I’m always open” claims every game day.

Let’s get to the news:

• JuJu Smith-Schuster is always open, or so he says.

Confident Steelers’ JuJu Smith-Schuster: ‘I’m always open’

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

A mediocre four-game stretch that was his least productive in the NFL since breaking out midway through his rookie season?

It did little to diminish the confidence of JuJu Smith-Schuster.

“When it’s one-on-one, man-to-man, it may seem like I’m not open, but I’m always open,” the Pittsburgh Steelers top wide receiver said. “Just give me an opportunity, get the ball around me, and I’m able to make a good play.”

Smith-Schuster’s handful of “good plays” in his most recent game has allayed fears he is headed for a poor season at the worst possible time. He is due for a contract extension this offseason.

Smith-Schuster had five catches for 103 yards, including a 26-yard touchdown, in a 27-14 win against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.

In the first four games after Ben Roethlisberger’s season-ending elbow injury, Smith-Schuster had just 14 catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns playing with Mason Rudolph (Weeks 3-5, 7) and Devlin Hodges (Weeks 5-6).

Smith-Schuster had more catches of at least 17 yards in last week’s game (four) than he had in his previous four games combined (three).

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Not a good look for the Steelers and Mike Tomlin.

NFL fines Steelers, Mike Tomlin for violating injury report on Ben Roethlisberger

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

The Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Mike Tomlin have been levied fines totaling $100,000 for not listing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on the Week 2 injury report.

A league source confirmed Friday the organization was fined $75,000 and Tomlin $25,000 for not accurately listing the status of Roethlisberger on the practice report prior to the team’s Sept. 15 game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Roethlisberger did not play after halftime of that game because of an injury to his throwing elbow that would ultimately require season-ending surgery. In the days after the Seahawks game, teammates had publicly mentioned Roethlisberger’s elbow had been bothering him during Week 1 at the New England Patriots.

Mason Rudolph, who took over as the starting quarterback, said in September he had heard of Roethlisberger’s elbow injury “right after the New England game, (Roethlisberger) expressing some pain.”

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Anthony Chickillo apologizes, and hopes the NFL won’t give him any more discipline.

Anthony Chickillo apologizes for ‘distraction’ to Steelers, ‘hopeful’ NFL won’t discipline him

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Speaking publicly for the first time since a domestic incident at Nemacolin Woodlands involving his girlfriend last month, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Anthony Chickillo on Friday apologized for the distraction it caused and said he is “hopeful” the NFL will not discipline him further.

“I just want to acknowledge that the situation has been a distraction for my teammates, the organization and the fans,” Chickillo said from his locker at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, “and I apologize for that.”

Chickillo practiced Friday for the second consecutive day following his reinstatement from the league’s reserve/commissioner exempt list Thursday morning. Charges against Chickillo were withdrawn Wednesday in Fayette County court after 90 minutes of discussion Wednesday among attorneys and arresting troopers in district court.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Mason Rudolph Media Availability

• Social Media Madness