*James Conner – Noteworthy
RB James Conner reeled in five receptions for the third straight game in Monday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also had 61 yards rushing on 15 carries.
*JuJu Smith-Schuster – Noteworthy
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster recorded his third straight triple-digit game in receiving yards in Monday’s victory versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He had nine catches for 116 yards in the win.
Antonio Brown – Noteworthy
WR Antonio Brown finished with six receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown in Monday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His nine targets were a season low, however.
Vance McDonald – Noteworthy
TE Vance McDonald highlighted his four-catch performance on Monday by administering a vicious stiff-arm on Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Chris Conte en route to a 75-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. McDonald, who weighs 267 pounds, lowered the boom on the 203-pound Conte to turn a 20-yard completion into Pittsburgh’s first touchdown in a 30-27 victory.
Vance McDonald – Noteworthy
TE Vance McDonald sent social media into a frenzy after administering a vicious stiff-arm of Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Chris Conte before scoring a 75-yard touchdown in the first quarter of Monday’s game. McDonald, who weighs 267 pounds, lowered the boom on the 203-pound Conte to turn a 20-yard completion into Pittsburgh’s first score in a 30-27 victory. “Punish him. Inflict as much force on him as possible. That’s the first thing I think of,” the 28-year-old McDonald said, via ESPN. “I love contact. If a DB or a safety wants to take me up high, God bless him. Because I’m going to hit him hard. That’s my goal. A lot of times I don’t think about using the stiff arm, but he was slow-playing it so much. He gave me a big target.”