The Pittsburgh Steelers experienced an unfortunate situation leading up to the NFL’s first game in Ireland. Skylar Thompson suffered minor injuries after assailants jumped and robbed the backup quarterback Friday night in Dublin. Thompson, who is on injured reserve, is OK and back with the team ahead of Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“We are aware of a situation involving Skylar Thompson on Friday night in Dublin,” Steelers senior director of communications Burt Lauten said in a statement, via NFL Media. “We will have no further comment at this time as we are working with NFL security to gather more information regarding the incident.”
Pittsburgh remains set with Aaron Rodgers for the start and Mason Rudolph to back him up against Minnesota.
“We are aware of the incident involving Skylar Thompson in Ireland and are relieved to know he is okay,” the NFLPA said in a statement. “The NFLPA is actively gathering more information and working to understand the full circumstances surrounding what took place. As always, our priority is the health and safety of our player members — especially as we continue to work on player protections and well-being while playing international games — and we will continue to support Skylar in any way he needs.”
Thompson, 28, is in the middle of his first season with the Steelers. A former seventh-round pick, Thompson started three games as a rookie that included one playoff game as a member of the Miami Dolphins. He made another start last season in what was his final season with the Dolphins.
Thompson parlayed a solid training camp performance into a 53-man roster spot for the Steelers. Pittsburgh placed him on injured reserve in September after he hurt his hamstring in practice. Pittsburgh flew out to Ireland following practice on Thursday. The plan was for the team to sleep on the plane ride over to Ireland before stay awake the entire day on Friday in order to adjust to the time change.
The Steelers stayed at Carton House, a five-star resort that is roughly 40 minutes from Dublin and 45 minutes from Croke Park, the site of Sunday’s game against the Vikings.
Speaking of Sunday’s game, the Steelers took a 24-6 lead before having to hang on for a 24-21 win. Pittsburgh’s win was fueled by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Kenneth Gainwell and a defense that sacked Carson Wentz six times.
Rodgers went 18 of 22 for 200 yards that included an 80-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf that gave the Steelers a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. Gainwell, filling in for Jaylen Warren, ran for 99 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries while also catching six passes for 35 yards.
Pittsburgh’s defensive effort included another sparkling performance from T.J. Watt, who had 1.5 sacks and a key interception that set up Gainwell’s second touchdown. Watt was part of a Pittsburgh defense that held the Vikings to 4 of 14 on third down and just 2 of 4 in the red zone.
The Steelers will now go on their bye week before hosting the AFC North rival Browns in Week 6.
