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Steelers Pro Bowler Was Fined $17,389 For This Hit Against Sam Darnold, As Chris Halicke Reported Earlier This Week

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Pittsburgh, PA – September 2025 – In a week where the Pittsburgh Steelers were already staggering from injuries and setbacks, linebacker Patrick Queen found himself at the center of fresh controversy. The NFL has fined Queen $17,389 for a hit on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold during last Sunday’s Week 2 clash—a game that ended in a 31-17 defeat for Pittsburgh.

VIDEOS: https://x.com/DKPghSports/status/1968760071296315647

The fine, first reported by Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports, wasn’t just about one collision. It was a reminder of the league’s sharpened stance on quarterback safety, a message delivered in dollar signs: hit the passer, pay the price.

For Queen, the penalty comes at a time when the Steelers’ defense is already under siege. Alex Highsmith and Joey Porter Jr.—two of the unit’s cornerstones—are sidelined with injuries, leaving gaps in a defense once feared for its steel spine. Now, instead of headlines about leadership and tackles, Queen’s name is tied to a fine that paints the picture of a defense losing both bodies and battles.

The hit itself? Fans split. Some saw it as routine contact in a violent game, others as reckless. The NFL’s verdict was swift and costly. To many, it reflects the league’s broader push to protect quarterbacks at all costs—a crusade that’s changing the DNA of defensive football.

“We want safety,” one fan posted, “but are we stripping the heart out of defense?”

It’s the same argument replayed every Sunday: the balance between safeguarding players and preserving the raw, punishing essence of the sport.

For Queen, $17,389 isn’t just a financial penalty. It’s a symbol of the spotlight now on him and his defense, a unit that must regroup fast with Week 3 looming in Foxborough. Against the Patriots, every snap will matter. And for a Steelers team desperate to rewrite its story, every headline counts.

In Pittsburgh, fines come and go. But what the Steelers need now is a statement on the field—proof that even battered, this defense still carries the iron spirit of the Black and Gold.

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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