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Steelers Rookie LB Faces Heavy Discipline After Missing Team Flight to Cincinnati for Bengals Game

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for their divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals tonight - but the focus this morning shifted to a different kind of headline. According to team sources, one of the Steelers’ young linebackers was disciplined internally after missing the team’s charter flight to Cincinnati due to oversleeping.

The incident occurred early Thursday morning, just hours before the team’s scheduled departure. While the Steelers successfully arrived in Cincinnati for their Week 7 primetime game, the unnamed player was reportedly left behind and had to make alternative travel arrangements.

Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the matter briefly when asked by reporters, emphasizing accountability and professionalism within the locker room:

“We’re not here to babysit grown men,” Tomlin said firmly. “If you can’t be where you’re supposed to be, when you’re supposed to be there, you’re hurting this team — and that gets handled right away. Discipline isn’t optional in Pittsburgh.”

By Friday morning, team insiders confirmed that the player involved was linebacker Carson Bruener, a defense teams contributor who has impressed in limited snaps this season. While the Steelers have not yet announced the specific disciplinary action, multiple reports suggest he may face a temporary team sanction or reduction in playing time.

Five Fast Facts: Carson Bruener

Despite the situation, Tomlin reassured that the team’s focus remains on football: “We deal with mistakes like professionals and move forward. This is about maintaining the standard — nothing less.”

The Steelers are set to face the Bengals at Paycor Stadium tonight, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 PM ET. Whether Bruener suits up remains uncertain, but one thing is clear — in Pittsburgh, accountability comes before everything else.

Minnesota Vikings vs Dallas Cowboys Week 15 NFL 2025: Latest Odds, Injury Report & Score Prediction
The marquee Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 15 pits the Minnesota Vikings (5-8) against the Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1) at AT&T Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8:20 PM ET on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This is a must-win game for Dallas to keep playoff hopes alive. Quick Match Info (Updated Dec 10, 2025) Date & Time: Sunday, Dec 14, 2025 – 8:20 PM ET Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX (retractable roof – weather not a factor) TV (US): NBC / Peacock Current Records: Vikings 5-8 | Cowboys 6-6-1 **Head-to-Head: Cowboys lead all-time series 19-15 and have won 5 of the last 6 meetings Latest Betting Odds (Consensus – BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel) Bet Type Vikings Cowboys Notes Spread +6.5 (-110) -6.5 (-110) Line moved from -7 to -6.5 Moneyline +240 -300   Total (O/U) Over 47.5 (-110) Under 47.5 (-110) Trending toward 47   Best value bets right now: Cowboys -6.5 or Under 47.5 Key Injury Report (as of Dec 10 evening)     Team Player Position Injury Status Cowboys CeeDee Lamb WR Concussion protocol Questionable (65-70% to play, may wear guardian cap) Cowboys Tyler Guyton OT High ankle sprain Doubtful Cowboys Jadeveon Clowney EDGE Hamstring Questionable Cowboys Trevon Diggs CB Knee soreness Questionable Vikings J.J. McCarthy QB Cleared concussion protocol Will start Vikings Justin Jefferson WR Healthy 100%   → If Lamb is limited or out, Vikings +6.5 becomes very playable. Key Stats & Trends Cowboys average 29.3 PPG at home (best in NFL) Vikings average only 16.8 PPG on the road this season 7 of Dallas’ last 9 home games went OVER the total Vikings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as +6 or bigger underdogs Expert Score Predictions ESPN FPI: Cowboys 27 – Vikings 19 (73.2% win probability for Dallas) SportsLine 10,000 sims: Cowboys by 7.8 points USA Today: Cowboys 28–20 Bleacher Report: Cowboys 31–23 Our Final Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 30 – 20 Vikings → Cowboys cover -6.5 | Game goes slightly OVER 47.5