The Steelers have not and have no intention of trading cornerback Cam Sutton.
Typically, the NFL trade deadline is something that comes and goes in early November without football fans ever knowing because of the relative silence surrounding the event. This year, however, because of the pandemic and a number of teams being completely out of the playoff race early and looking toward next year and a potential decrease in the salary cap, we've seen more player movement than in previous years.
And because of COVID-19 rules that say a player joining a new team must test negative for five consecutive days, it's led some to suggest that the true trade deadline was Wednesday of this week, not the actual Nov. 3 deadline. The thinking on that was that any player traded is going to need a week of negative COVID tests before he can join his new team, thus forcing teams to act sooner rather than later.
That set the stage Tuesday night for Steelers fans to feel the team had made a trade after some cryptic posts on social media by Sutton.
Sutton, who is in the final season of his four-year rookie contract, posted twice on Instagram late Tuesday night, with the first being just a peace sign emoji before posting a blank screen on the second one with the words "Stay Tuned" at the bottom. Immediately, Twitter was abuzz with rumors Sutton had been traded, with the target apparently being an inside linebacker to help the Steelers (6-0) replace injured Devin Bush.
But Sutton was at the team's practice Wednesday as it began preparations to face the Ravens (5-1) in Baltimore Sunday. And the Steelers don't appear to be eager to make any pre-deadline deals, anyway. Sutton has been a big contributor on passing downs, playing a season-high 33 snaps in last Sunday's 27-24 victory over the Titans in place of injured Mike Hilton in the slot.
Hilton (shoulder) is expected to return against the Ravens Sunday but did not practice on Wednesday, but Sutton has still averaged more than 20 defensive snaps per game this season prior to Hilton's injury, recording eight tackles and three pass defenses. Beyond the Steelers not wanting to trade a player who is seeing significant playing time, the idea they would trade away cornerback depth in a league that is starved for it seemed strange, especially for a team that had struggled to find depth at the position for a number of years.
In addition, it seemed unlikely a contending team would want to trade for a cornerback on an expiring contract and give up a linebacker who could start for the Steelers, who played Robert Spillane and Ulysees Gilbert at inside linebacker in the win over the Titans.
So, what did Sutton's cryptic posts mean?
Perhaps only he knows. And Sutton was not made available to the media Wednesday.
• In addition to Hilton, fullback Derek Watt (hamstring) returned to practice Wednesday for the Steelers. According to Mike Tomlin, both are expected to play this week.
Defensive lineman Chris Wormley (knee) and safety Jordan Dangerfield (quad) were the only players who sat out practice for the Steelers who are questionable to play against the Ravens.
• Running back Mark Ingram (ankle) did not practice for the Ravens Wednesday, despite the team being on a bye last week.
Also sitting out was cornerback Marlon Humphrey (illness), while cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles' tendon) was limited.