Steelers News: Stephon Tuitt looking to make the jump to NFL Elite in 2017

The Pittsburgh Steelers are back to actually playing football again, and although there is just around a month until their first regular season game, the news if flying out of Saint Vincent College at training camp faster than a Ben Roethlisberger bullet pass over the middle.

We plan on keeping you informed with several articles which you might find interesting, and linking them to their direct source. If you want to read the entire article, just click the link at the start of the section!

Steelers' Stephon Tuitt focused on joining NFL's elite — Pittsburgh Tribune-Review — Chris Adamski

Stephon Tuitt insists he isn't concerned with the contract extension he's due this summer, nor with the large amount of money that surely would be part of one.

An eight-figure signing bonus? Tuitt has an even gaudier number he's more focused on.

“I want double-digit sacks,” the defensive end said after the training camp-opening walkthrough earlier this week.

“And I know I can get it. It's easy for me to do it.”

Whoa.

The team's leader last season, James Harrison, had a mere five. No Steelers player has recorded double-digit sacks in seven years (Harrison and LaMarr Woodley in 2010), and only eight players in the AFC collected as many as 10 sacks last season. Just three AFC defensive ends did.

Tuitt has totaled barely double-digit sacks over his three-year career (11½) with a career high of 6½ (in 2015).

So why is Tuitt so confident it will be “easy” for him can bring down an opposing quarterback 10 times (or more) this season?

“Because I believe I can,” the 24-year-old said, using more of a matter-of-fact tone than one of bravado. “I believe it is. And I showed it last year; I've just got to finish. So that's why I believe it's easy.”

Steelers kick tires on possible running back depth — Mike Florio — ProFootballTalk

Starter Le’Veon Bell is still holding out, and rookie James Conner has a dinged-up shoulder. As a result, the Steelers are taking a look at their tailback options.

Via multiple reports, the Steelers are working out running back Brandon Radcliff. He played college football at Louisville, and he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Colts. He was waived when the Colts signed Christine Michael.

Knile Davis and Fitzgerald Toussaint currently are the top two options, behind Bell and Conner.

The Steelers are off on Tuesday. Information about Conner’s injury has been hard to track down, perhaps for good reason. If it’s known that he’s going to miss more than a few days, Bell acquires more leverage in his apparent effort to get paid more than $12.1 million for 2017, or to get a promise that the Steelers won’t use the tag on him again in 2018.

Markus Wheaton had appendix out on Sunday morning — Josh Alper — ProFootballTalk

The Bears will be down a receiver for a little bit.

Coach John Fox announced on Sunday, via the Chicago Sun-Times, that wide receiver Markus Wheaton is in the hospital recovering from an appendectomy. Wheaton began experiencing stomach pains on Saturday night and wound up in surgery to have his appendix out on Sunday morning.

Fox said the appendix did not rupture and that Wheaton will spend Sunday night in the hospital. It’s unclear when he’ll be cleared to return to action.

Wheaton signed a two-year deal with the Bears as a free agent this offseason. When he’s healthy, he’s expected to join Kevin White and Cameron Meredith at the top of the depth chart in Chicago.

Steelers' Antonio Brown announces birth of son, Apollo — Adam Bittner — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Steelers receiver Antonio Brown is a father for the fifth time, announcing the birth of son Apollo Tuesday via Snapchat.

Apollo is Antonio’s third child with girlfriend Chelsie Kyriss. He has two other children from a previous relationship.

Brown becomes the latest high-profile Pittsburgh athlete to share baby news in the last year and change. Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen announced last month that he and his wife, Maria, are expecting a baby boy. Penguins center Evgeni Malkin welcomed a son, Nikita, last June. And Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wife, Ashley, celebrated the birth of son Bodie last May.