The opinions found in Asked and Answered do not reflect the views of the Steelers organization.
Let's get to it:
TYLER JONES FROM SAINT PARIS, OH: Joey Porter Jr. seems to draw a lot of penalties that are "ticky-tack," and it seems like other DBs get away with the same type of contact that he gets flagged for. Do you think the officials watch him more closely than other DBs because of his reputation?
ANSWER: I believe that players can develop a reputation, and while that might not necessarily result in them being targeted by officials it can lead them to being watched more closely during games or in specific situations during games. Also, young players often are not accorded the benefit of the doubt often given to veterans. In 2025, Porter has been flagged 8 times, 6 of those penalties were accepted, but he has allowed 0 touchdowns.
- Download and listen to the Asked & Answered Podcast here: Apple Podcast | Spotify
ROB JONES FROM PORT ST LUCIE, FL: Is there any word on when DeShon Elliott might return from injury?
ANSWER: DeShon Elliott injured his knee in a game against the Packers on Oct. 26, which was Week 8 of the 2025 season. Reports have characterized the injury as a hyperextended knee, and there also were reports that his ACL is intact, which can be taken as good news. Via social media, Elliott has made references to attacking his rehabilitation with the goal of a full return for the 2026 season. While there has been no official announcement that Elliott won't return until 2026, things do appear to be heading in that direction. Since the start of the regular season, the Steelers have added safeties Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger.
KEN MAULDIN FROM CLYDE, TX: I always thought James Pierre was a bit slow, but he looked pretty darn fast last Sunday in Baltimore. Do you have access to his original 40-time? How does it compare to Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey?
ANSWER: at the NFL Combine in 2020, James Pierre is recorded as running a 4.59 in the 40-yard dash; Joey Porter was clocked at 4.46 at his Combine appearance, and Jalen Ramsey was clocked at 4.41 in his. After compiling all of the test results at the Combine, a player is given an "Athleticism score." Pierre's was a 55, which ranked him as the No. 33 CB; Porter's was a 78, which ranked him as the No. 12 CB, and Ramsey's was a 91, which ranked him as the No. 2 CB.
Here is the player evaluation of Pierre that was written by Lance Zierlein and posted on NFL.com/prospects following the 2020 NFL Combine:
OVERVIEW: Outside cornerback with good size and length, but lacks the fundamentals needed to compete at the NFL level right now. Right now, there are just flashes of elements needed to make it in the league, but there is still development to be had, which might work in his favor. Another season at FAU might have helped his cause, but his size, toughness in run support and potential to improve could make him a developmental Cover 2 cornerback with an early stay on the practice squad.
STRENGTHS: Boundary corner who possesses good size and length. Pops receiver with two-hand jam. Adequate foot agility to shuffle and cut-off release. Flashes early eyes to recognize quarterback's intentions. Adequate closeout speed when ball is in the air. Locates throw and overlaps his coverage to play it. Above-average hands and ball skills when it's in his neighborhood. Punches and sheds receivers with strength and aggression to tackle. Healthy hitter when stepping up to take on ball-carriers.
WEAKNESSES: Footwork and technique are raw and sloppy. Coverage balance is below average. Hips too closed when playing inside leverage. Allows way too much space from off-man. Can be a step slow to read and react to the route in space. Extended face guarding with back to ball. Inconsistent turning to find and play the football.
NATE KLEIN FROM FREDERICKSBURG, VA: Has the NFL ever tried the schedule approach of having all the divisional games at the end of the season? Just curious if you've ever heard talk about the pros/cons of that. I think it would make things more interesting for playoff seeding.
ANSWER: When the in-season Hard Knocks featured the AFC North Division in 2024, the Steelers' 6 games against division opponents all came in the final 8 weeks of the season. As for doing that league-wide on an annual basis, I don't believe the NFL's broadcast partners would be thrilled with that arrangement.
ROB BEBOUT FROM SPRINGFIELD, OH: DK Metcalf filled in for Ben Skowronek as a gunner vs. the Ravens in Baltimore. I would imagine Metcalf was asked to do that and not "assigned" to the task. If he was asked, that says a lot about his character to me. Could you give some details about that situation?
ANSWER: I can confirm that DK Metcalf volunteered for "gunner" duty in the game vs. the Ravens, and Coach Mike Tomlin also said Jaylen Warren volunteered to return kickoffs. Against the Ravens, Warren finished with one kickoff return for 19 yards.
JASON GODFREY FROM ENOREE, SC: Watching a Steelers YouTube video, which every fan should subscribe, I heard a comment about the relative closeness of Baltimore to Pittsburgh. My question: is the AFC North, out of all the NFL divisions, the closest, in miles, for all teams?
ANSWER: In the AFC North, the team farthest to the west is Cincinnati and the team farthest to the east is Baltimore, and the distance between those two places is 508 miles. The only other division with close to that proximity is the NFC North, but the distance between Minneapolis and Detroit is 690 miles.
MATTHEW JOHNSON FROM CASHIERS, NC: The Colts signed Philip Rivers to their practice squad. Could the Colts have signed Skylar Thompson or another practice squad player?
ANSWER: Skylar Thompson is on the Steelers injured reserve list and therefore the team controls his rights. But if the Colts had been interested in signing a quarterback on the practice squad of another team, they could have done that. Reports were that the Colts were going to start Rivers in their Dec. 14 game at Seattle, and if Rivers is even on the Indianapolis 53-man roster at any point in 2025, his 5-year clock for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame would re-set and start over. On Nov. 25, Rivers was announced as one of the 26 Modern Era semifinalists for induction as part of the Hall of Fame's Class of 2026. There were 3 quarterbacks among those semifinalists – Drew Brees, Eli Manning, and Rivers.
PAUL MILLER FROM BUTLER, PA: In a case like DK Metcalf's where he stayed in Baltimore after the game for medical reasons. Who pays for an injured player's return to Pittsburgh, and is the player responsible for making the travel arrangements?
ANSWER: In such a case, the player is neither responsible for paying for the return trip nor for scheduling it. And because Metcalf stayed in Baltimore for medical reasons, I feel certain a member of the Steelers medical team stayed there as well and traveled with him on his return to Pittsburgh.
