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NFL Investigating Steelers After Rodgers Uses Smelling Salts Before 80-Yard Touchdown Pass — New Rule Just Passed

Dublin, Ireland — September 28, 2025 — The Pittsburgh Steelers’ historic international victory in Ireland has been overshadowed by a brewing controversy. The NFL has officially opened an investigation into whether the Steelers violated the league’s newly implemented restrictions on smelling salts during games.

In the second quarter, cameras captured Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh’s veteran quarterback, reaching into his pocket after breaking the huddle. Rodgers appeared to pull out a small object, inhale sharply, and then compose himself before delivering a perfect 80-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.

The clip quickly went viral, showing what appeared to be smelling salts — a stimulant commonly used to enhance alertness and control breathing.

Rodgers went on to finish the game with an efficient performance: 18 completions on 22 attempts for 200 yards and 1 TD, leading the Steelers to a statement win in their first-ever regular-season contest on Irish soil.

VIDEOS: https://x.com/DynastyDorks/status/1972445065772728803

The controversy escalated when replays and sideline cameras captured Aaron Rodgers and offensive tackle Broderick Jones using smelling salts immediately after breaking the huddle on the field. The footage, which spread quickly on social media, fueled suspicions that other Steelers players may also have had access, raising concerns the team violated the NFL’s 2025 policy update.

The new rule, passed this offseason, bans the use of smelling salts during games, allowing them only in training environments. League officials argued that their in-game use could mask early signs of concussions or head trauma, putting players’ long-term health at risk.

In a brief release Sunday night, the NFL confirmed it is “reviewing game footage and sideline protocols” from the Steelers-Vikings matchup in Dublin:

“Player safety remains our highest priority. Any use of banned substances during play will be taken seriously, and discipline will follow if violations are confirmed.”

While no penalties have yet been announced, the investigation could lead to fines, suspensions, or loss of draft picks if the Steelers are found to have knowingly provided smelling salts to players during the game.

For now, the victory stands, but the win has been clouded by scrutiny. Instead of celebrating Rodgers’ vintage deep-ball magic, the Steelers find themselves facing questions about competitive fairness and compliance with league safety standards.

As the NFL era in Ireland begins, so too does another test of the Steelers’ resilience — not just on the field, but in the court of league discipline.

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Raiders Reunite with a Former Starter to Fortify the Offensive Line
Las Vegas, NV   The Las Vegas Raiders have brought back a familiar face in a move that screams both urgency and savvy: versatile offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor is returning to the Silver & Black on a one-year deal (terms not disclosed), reuniting with the franchise where he logged some of the best football of his career and immediately fortifying a position group that has been stretched thin. Eluemunor, 31, started for the Raiders from 2021–2023, showing rare position flexibility across right tackle and guard while anchoring pass protection against premier edge rushers. His technique, anchor, and ability to handle long-arm power made him a steadying force during multiple playoff pushes. After departing Vegas, Eluemunor spent time elsewhere refining his craft, but a confluence of roster needs and scheme familiarity has set the stage for a timely homecoming. For the Raiders—fighting to keep pace in a rugged AFC—this is about stability and fit. Injuries and week-to-week availability on the right side of the line have forced constant shuffling; protection packages have leaned heavily on chips and condensed splits to survive obvious passing downs. Eluemunor’s return allows the staff to plug him at RT or slide him inside at RG, restoring balance to protections and widening the run-game menu (duo, inside zone, and the toss/ pin-pull that Vegas fans love when the edge is sealed). “Jermaine knows who we are and how we want to play,” a team source said. “He brings ballast. Assignment sound, physical, and smart—he raises the floor for the entire unit.” Beyond the X’s and O’s, there’s an unmistakable emotional charge to this reunion. Eluemunor was a locker-room favorite in his previous stint—professional, detail-driven, and accountable. The belief internally is that his presence stabilizes communication on the right side (IDs, slides, and pass-off rules vs. games and simulated pressures), which in turn unlocks more vertical concepts and keeps the quarterback cleaner late in games. On social media, Raider Nation lit up the timeline with a simple refrain: “Welcome back, Jem.” Many fans called the deal the exact kind of “rival-poach, ready-to-play” move a contender makes in October: low friction, high impact, zero learning curve. What it means on the field (immediately): Pass pro: Fewer emergency chips, more five-out releases—OC can re-open deeper intermediate shots without living in max-protect. Run game: Better edge control on toss/duo; more confidence running to the right on money downs. Depth & versatility: One injury doesn’t force a cascade of position changes; Eluemunor can cover two spots with starting-level competency. The timetable? Swift. Because Eluemunor already speaks the language—terminology, splits, cadence rules—he could suit up as early as this weekend if the medicals/check-ins continue to trend positive. The message is clear: the Raiders aren’t waiting around for the line to gel—they’re engineering it. If Jermaine Eluemunor plays to his Raider résumé, this reunion could be the precise mid-season jolt that steadies the offense and keeps the Silver & Black firmly in the postseason race. Raider Nation, the question writes itself: Plug-and-play stopgap—or the catalyst that reclaims the right side