Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said yesterday that he and his coaching staff have been doing a “self-scout” of the team since the loss in Cleveland last Thursday. He said they “need to clean (their) own house” before they start practices tomorrow for Sunday’s game against the Colts.
McCarthy also took himself to task for his angry exchange with Aaron Rodgers during the game, and for his cursing, saying he’s “grandfather age”, and needs to stop using those words.
As to some of his veteran players venting their frustration, such as TJ Watt’s outburst over the headphones to the coaches upstairs, McCarthy said that’s not unusual, especially when a team is incorporating a new system.
Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon will spend the next four games on injured reserve with a foot injury. With the bye week coming in Week 9, that means his earliest return would be November 15th against the Bengals.
With Joey Porter Jr. traded and Jamel Dean nursing an ankle injury, the Steelers are without the two players projected as their starting cornerbacks this year. Yesterday they signed veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Tampa Bay Bucs’ practice squad. He has started 65 games in the NFL in his seven-year career, but has not suited up for a game since 2024. Dean is day to day but for now is not headed to injured reserve.
McCarthy said when it comes to the secondary, if you’re on the Steelers’ roster, you’re expected to contribute.
The Steelers also signed former Patriots inside linebacker Marte Mapu to the practice squad and waived cornerback Doneiko Slaughter.
