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Steelers Rookie FB Disappears After Benching — Mike Tomlin Responds With Brutal 2-Game Suspension

In their preseason opener, the Pittsburgh Steelers were stunned when rookie FB DJ Thomas-Jones abruptly left the stadium without notice, prompting swift disciplinary action.

Steelers rookie DJ Thomas-Jones takes care of his mother off the field, but  is 'first team all-violence' on it | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

According to team sources, Thomas-Jones — an undrafted rookie out of South Alabama — appeared frustrated after being benched in the second quarter. He quietly left Acrisure Stadium without informing coaches or staff.

First-team all-violence' could be the Pittsburgh Steelers' unheralded  sleeper - pennlive.com

Such conduct not only violates team discipline but also jeopardizes Thomas-Jones’s slim chances of making the roster. In the NFL, especially for undrafted rookies, professionalism and team-first mentality are non-negotiable.

Promising Steelers TE Avoids Serious Injury - Yahoo Sports

Head Coach Mike Tomlin didn’t hold back: “You fall in line or you fall out. This is the NFL, not a hobby. We set a standard here — and if you can’t meet it, you’ll watch from the couch.”

Joe Starkey: If this doesn't warm up Mike Tomlin's seat, what will? |  Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Initially seen as a potential power option in the Steelers’ backfield, Thomas-Jones’s future in Pittsburgh now looks uncertain.

The Steelers have suspended Thomas-Jones for two games for “conduct detrimental to the team,” leaving his Week 1 roster spot hanging by a thread.

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Chiefs Fan-Favourite WR Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is mourning a devastating personal loss following the team’s Week 5 matchup, as his cousin Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville. Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.” Rice, who grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose, has long credited that example with shaping his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Rashee that strength isn’t being unbreakable — it’s standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how Rashee lives and plays today.” As a featured target in the Chiefs’ offense, Rice has earned complete trust for his short-to-intermediate separation, yards-after-catch power (YAC), and chemistry with quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Coaches describe him as “calm, focused, and mature beyond his years,” a disciplined route-runner who finds tight windows in the red zone. Through Week 5 of the 2025 season, Rice has no registered game statistics as he serves a league-issued six-game suspension to start the regular season; major stat services list no 2025 game logs to date.  The Kansas City Chiefs have provided time and private support for Rice and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. The FAA is investigating the incident, while messages commemorating “Spidey” continue to spread nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. Rice kept his public remarks brief before leaving in the embrace of teammates:“Spidey always told me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”