By WES CROSBY
After absorbing a Mike Mitchell hit to his midsection Sunday at Heinz Field, knocking him out of the game temporarily, Bengals receiver Marvin Jones called Mitchell “fake tough" on Monday.
Mitchell said he would not answer any questions on the topic after the Steelers' practice Wednesday afternoon on the South Side.
Then, he did.
Following several minutes of questions regarding this Sunday’s matchup against the Raiders, the Steelers' safety broke his silence.
“He’s … fortunate I’m playing a lot smarter than I used to,” Mitchell said, pausing to find the right adjective. “That could have very easily been a face shot or a knee shot, and he probably would’ve been out a lot longer. I thought it was a perfectly legal hit and I just got up and celebrated with my sideline. I didn’t know the guy was hurt. You can kind of feel it and hear it when you stick a guy. They make a certain noise. So I knew I had stuck him good and it was a good, clean hit. That was a good one.”
Mitchell does not regret how he reacted to the hit.
“Absolutely not. I watched Vontaze Burfict hurt Le’Veon Bell, get up, jump and scream and then run to his bench. I wish I would’ve went low.”
Mitchell said he told A.J. Green he was “next.”
“Yeah. I mean, that happens. … That was just one of the multiple conversations we were having.”
Mitchell does not view his behavior as out of the ordinary.
“We’re not choir boys, guys. It’s real. When you see that, that’s real. It’s not Boy Scouts.”
Cam Heyward seemed more disappointed with the Bell injury and subsequent controversy, which includes threatening tweets sent between Burfict and Vince Williams.
“We’ve all moved on," Heyward said. "It was obviously a crappy situation. I hope it was never to inflict (pain on) or hurt another player because that’s bad for our game. They need to take care of their locker room. We’ll take care of our own.”
After undergoing concussion protocol on Sunday, Mitchell was a full participant at Wednesday's practice. He said he is focused on the Steelers’ matchup with the Raiders, but anticipates Pittsburgh’s rematch with the Bengals on Dec. 13.
“I’m looking forward to the game we have this Sunday,” he said. “But when that game comes, I will be excited. I am from the Cincinnati area and I have a very good memory.”
NEXT MEN UP
It’s well known the Steelers' running game will look quite different against the Raiders, but the tempo and scheme, including the use of the no-huddle, will be similar.
“There should be no slowing down,” Ben Roethlisberger said. “Obviously, we miss 26. Our hearts go out to him and his family. It’s not easy to have an injury, especially when you’ve busted your butt and you’re the best in the business and you’ve fought back. But we have all the faith in the world that DeAngelo (Williams) will pick it up. I’m not going to call anything any different because he’s in there, because he is a back who knows what he’s supposed to do and will do it with every ounce of his being.”
The Steelers have expressed confidence in Williams since Sunday, and for good reason. Not only has the 32-year-old been a productive NFL back for the past decade, but he also showed Pittsburgh he has plenty of skill left during two starts at the beginning of this season.
Mike Tomlin named Jordan Todman the Steelers’ No. 2 running back Tuesday. Todman, who has started three games across five NFL seasons, views the season’s second half as a chance to build his name.
“I’ve been here for eight weeks, but (it's) an opportunity to carve out a niche,” Todman said. “To show a role or to show more than the one play I’ve gotten earlier this year. … It’s an opportunity in a bunch of different situations for me and this team.”
The play Todman referenced was an 11-yard run against the 49ers in Week 2. In his career, he has averaged 4.1 yards on 112 carries, 111 of which came during his three seasons with the Jaguars. Jacksonville signed Todman off of the Vikings’ practice squad in November 2012. He had also served on the Chargers’ practice squad in 2011 after appearing in one game for San Diego without a carry.
It’s been a long road for Todman, which has him sounding determined to make the most of this opportunity.
“Definitely. That’s my job and this is my goal,” he said. “I’m here everyday to be ready and to be prepared. To watch film, to be in the meeting rooms watching things, picking up things, writing notes down. So, I just have to go out there and play football like any other game.”
Isaiah Pead spoke to the media for the first time since being signed Monday, saying he appreciated the opportunity the Steelers have provided and is willing to fill any role.
“As a special teams guy, it’s more about effort," he said. "Special teams will be kind of, not easy, but a simple task. The toughest task, honestly is learning the offense. … Today’s my first day of practice. I’ll put my best foot forward every night, with the playbook and whatnot, and see how it goes.”
Pead doesn’t expect an entirely smooth transition, but believes his attitude will make the process a bit less nerve-wracking
“I think I can bring a lot to the table, as far as competitive spirit,” Pead said. “Just with camaraderie with the guys, learning, maybe them learning from me. I’m just excited for the opportunity and I’m ready to go.”
HAPPY RETURNS?
Will Allen and Stephon Tuitt were each limited practice participants Wednesday. Tuitt said Monday he hopes to return against the Raiders, and Allen shared similar optimism Wednesday.
“I’m excited, but I’m not going to come back at the expense of my team,” Allen said. “They’ve been playing well. The defense has been playing lights out, so (if I) feel well throughout the week, come Sunday I’ll be ready to roll.”
ROSTER MOVES
Rookie cornerback Doran Grant was promoted from the Steelers' practice squad, while wide receiver Tyler Murphy was released.
Murphy, an undrafted rookie signed from Boston College, primarily served as an emergency quarterback behind Landry Jones and Mike Vick during Roethlisberger’s recovery from an MCL sprain. He was previously released on Sept. 23 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.
The Steelers selected Grant in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.