Mike Tomlin: No "long-term concerns" about Aaron Rodgers after bad night
After Sunday night's ugly loss to the Chargers, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was in no mood to discuss the SoFi Stadium showing from quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Asked how he would assess Rodgers's performance, Tomlin said, "How would you? Next question."
In his Tuesday press conference, Tomlin was asked whether Rodgers's subpar effort in the team's third straight prime-time loss was the product of a bad night, or whether there are bigger issues.
"I wouldn't chalk it up to an off night," Tomlin said, "but there are no long-term concerns."
He was later asked to explain the disconnect between the explanation not being an "off night" and not having long-term concerns.
"I'm just not going to allow your words to be my words," Tomlin said, smiling. "That's all. . . . Sunday night was what it was, but I have no long term reservations about his ability to play the position and play the position at a high level for us."
Rodgers will speak to reporters on Wednesday. He'll surely be asked similar questions.
Regardless of what anyone says, there has been a noticeable change in Rodgers's demeanor. Against the Bengals in Week 7, Rodgers seemed irritated throughout the game. On Sunday night against the Chargers, it was less frustration and more resignation emanating from Rodgers.
Was he accepting the fact that it just wasn't his night? Is he coming to terms with the very real possibility that it just isn't his year?
Or is he slowly accepting the fact that it's time to move on, even if that means not reversing his two-year detour to the Jets with a playoff appearance?
Regardless, the Steelers are sinking fast. From 4-1 to 5-4, with the Ravens surging and the Bengals looming. A loss to Cincinnati on Sunday would drop the Steelers to third place in a division that, not long ago, they controlled.
Raiders place Jackson Powers-Johnson on IR, sign K Greg Joseph to practice squad
The Raiders have made a series of roster moves on Tuesday.
Las Vegas announced offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson has been placed on injured reserve, which means he will miss at least the next four weeks.
To take his place on the 53-man roster, Las Vegas signed linebacker Jamin Davis off of the club’s practice squad. The No. 19 overall pick of the 2021 draft, Davis has appeared in 54 games with 36 starts. He’s recorded 8.0 sacks in his career in 50 appearances with Washington and four with Minnesota.
Additionally, the Raiders have signed kicker Greg Joseph to the team’s practice squad. Las Vegas fired special teams coordinator Tom McMahon after last week’s loss, as kicker Daniel Carlson has made just 12-of-16 field goals and 11-of-12 extra points this season.
Joseph, 31, made 16-of-20 field goals in eight appearances with the Giants, Commanders, and Jets last season. He’s connected on 82.3 percent of his career field goals in 75 games since 2018.
A random drug test detected cancer. Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton played a game, then had surgery
Denver Broncos linebacker Alex Singleton smiles after interacting with fans against the Dallas Cowboys in October. (Jack Dempsey / Associated Press)
Denver Broncos linebacker and tackling savant Alex Singleton has long set a positive example for young football players in Southern California.
He holds annual free camps and clinics at his alma mater, Thousand Oaks High. He partners with the Special Olympics to raise awareness and support for his sister and others with disabilities. He brought the Thousand Oaks High team coached by his good friend Evan Yabu to SoFi Stadium to watch the Broncos play the Chargers.
And when Yabu became coach at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High two years ago, he became a familiar face there as well.
But nothing he's done can rival the message he posted Monday on social media revealing his testicular cancer diagnosis, subsequent surgery and hopeful quick recovery.
"I wrestled with sharing such personal information publicly," he wrote. "But the fact is, if it helps one person decide to pay closer attention to their body, then it is well worth it.
"Early detection and regular screenings save lives and can save loved ones from a lot of grief."
Singleton revealed that elevated levels of the hormone Human Chorionic Gonadotropin were discovered from a random NFL drug test. An exam by a urologist confirmed the cancer diagnosis last week. Yet he elected to play Thursday against the Las Vegas Raiders before undergoing surgery to remove the tumor Friday.
He told close friends on a group text that the drug test indicated he either was on steroids or had testicular cancer. He wrote that he doesn't take steroids, so he planned to play in the game then go straight into surgery.
Singleton, the Broncos' leading tackler and a team captain, had nine tackles in the Broncos' 10-7 victory over the Raiders. He addressed teammates Monday.
"This morning, I stood before our team as a lucky man," he posted on Instagram. "I shared with my teammates and coaches that I underwent successful surgery on Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week.
"Thankfully, we believe the cancer was caught early with a great prognosis for me and my family. While we are still awaiting some additional test results, I fully expect to return to the field in the coming weeks."
Singleton, 31, is a tackling machine. He first gained national recognition when he recorded 21 total tackles and two tackles for loss in a win over the Chargers in 2022. His 19 solo tackles were second most in NFL history.
Last season, he suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but continued to play a remarkable 49 snaps, finishing with 10 tackles.
Singleton, who played at FCS school Montana State, has recorded at least 120 tackles four times and has a team-high 89 tackles in 10 games this season.
"[We'll] be there for him, continue the fight with him," Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad told reporters Monday. "I'm just glad everyone is here to support him.... Ultimate competitor, ultimate team player. He's going to overcome it, and we're all going to be here for him."
Singleton's wife, Sam, gave birth in February to their first child, a daughter named Tallyn Maye. Singleton recognizes that his health comes before football, telling reporters Monday that he will study the pathology report and be tested weekly. He said a CT scan showed that the cancer had not spread, but he is unsure how long he will be sidelined while recovering.
