Steelers third full-back Dwayne Haskins appeared in uniform for the first time of the 2021 season on Sunday after Ben Roethlisberger was ruled out of the Lions game after testing positive for COVID-19.
Haskins fit in in the event that Steelers reserve QB Mason Rudolph has to leave the game. But while Haskins was warming up before Sunday’s game, NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala overheard several Steelers coaches criticizing Haskins’ preparation.
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“Look! How ridiculous? It’s just laziness,” Kinkhabwala overheard from unnamed coaches.
Steelers’ excellent insider @AKinkhabwala on Dwayne Haskins Pregame warmups on @ 937theFan. The Steelers coach said he watched Haskins get ready and commented, “Look! How ridiculous is that? It’s just laziness.”
– Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) November 15, 2021
Kinkhabwala himself commented on how “lazy” Haskins looked on the field, saying he threw “bad passes” and checked his phone between throws. The Steelers have not commented on Haskins since this happened.
Mason Rudolph has had four years to prove who he is. Dwayne Haskins, ostensibly a play in his first action game yesterday, warmed up to throw lousy passes and check his phone. Ben Roethlisberger may not be the man he once was, but there’s a reason he’s your QB, #Steelers fan. https://t.co/MyQYaMTqeb
– Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 15, 2021
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Haskins started just 13 games during his two-year career in Washington. He threw a total of 2,804 yards and 12 touchdowns. Haskins was signed by Pittsburgh on January 21 after being released by Washington.
Haskins played for the Steelers in pre-season this year. He played in four games with the Cowboys, Eagles, Lions and Panthers. He has a total of 379 passes with two touchdowns. England started their final game against the Panthers, which resulted in a 34-9 loss. Coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t pleased with Haskins’ performance in that game.
“It wasn’t the performance he wanted or we wanted,” said Tomlin, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
There are many factors that go into determining whether Dwayne Haskins will ever become the NFL’s starting QB, but his cell phone use on the field an hour before the game isn’t on that list. .
– Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) November 15, 2021
Rudolph is expected to still start for the Steelers on Sunday against the Chargers if Roethlisberger is unable to complete the previous two negative COVID-19 tests. Haskins will remain Rudolph’s backup.
