Abram, Simmons among 2nd-year players poised for breakouts
Instead, the rookie safety injured his shoulder in the season opener and didnt play again last season. Now Abram is one of several second-year players poised for a breakout season in 2020. While Abrams season was cut short because of an injury, Tennessee first-round defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons started late because of one. Simmons recovered in time to play nine games of the regular season and three playoff games. He showed flashes as a rookie with 59 catches for 680 yards and five TDs despite substandard quarterback play from Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges.
Throwback Thursday: Steelers rare first-round spectators
The Pittsburgh Steelers coach is certain his team hit a home run in 2020 regardless of what happens over the next three day. While teams scrambled to figure out the first “virtual” NFL draft, the Steelers had expected to spend Thursday night monitoring it from afar. No need to get worked up over logistics — at least not yet — with safety Minkah Fitzpatrick already in the fold. “To be honest with you, I’m not fretting at all about not having a first pick,” Tomlin said. Colbert stressed the Steelers are confident in Roethlisberger returning to form this fall but believes there is solid depth at the position.
Chiefs missing rushing power for key game at New England
The Patriots, who can extend their NFL record to 11 consecutive playoff berths with a win, will also be missing a key offensive cog. ___KANSAS CITY-NEW ENGLANDChiefs: RB Damien Williams, CB Rashad Fenton, CB Morris Claiborne, OL Jackson Barton, OL Nick Allegretti, TE Deon Yelder, QB Chad Henne. Patriots: C Ted Karras, DL Byron Cowart, CB Joejuan Williams, QB Cody Kessler, OL Korey Cunningham, TE Ryan Izzo, RB Damien Harris. Bills: RB T.J. Yeldon, S Dean Marlowe, OG Ike Boettger, RT Ty Nsekhe, WR Duke Williams, TE Tommy Sweeney, DT Vincent Taylor. Packers: WR Ryan Grant, CB Kevin King, RB Dexter Williams, CB Tony Brown, CB Ka'dar Hollman, G/T Adam Pankey, T Yosh Nijman.
Steelers QB Rudolph out with concussion
(CNN) - A helmet-to-helmet collision left Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph unresponsive and later diagnosed with a concussion Sunday. As Rudolph let off a pass down field against the Baltimore Ravens, a defender's helmet smacked right into his. Burt Lauten, a Steelers spokesman, tweeted Sunday Rudolph wouldn't return to the game. "Rudolph is leaving Heinz Field to be further evaluated at a hospital," Lauten tweeted. Now that Rudolph is out, the Steelers will look to Devlin Hodges who was promoted from the practice squad after Roethlisberger was put on the reserve/injured list, according to the Steelers' website.