Christian Darrisaw was absent from practice on Thursday but the team is continueing to heal up ahead of Week 4.

Distractions, bad blocking and injuries be damned, J.J. McCarthy cannot avoid the harsh criticisms that come with being an NFL starting quarterback. One guy who knows it all too well is former Giants quarterback Phil Simms, though in this case it's Simms delivering the criticism.

Expectations were all over the place for Carson Wentz when he was named the starting quarterback for the team following the injury to J.J. McCarthy. Through one week, the project seems to be working as Kevin O'Connell and Wes Phillips have worked their magic again as a coaching staff and they have the team now standing tied atop the NFC North with a record of 2-1.

Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t thrilled with how the Steelers handled the team’s travel plans for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings in Ireland.

“We should always tackle with our fist balled up,” Daniels said. “That’s really how we think in this building.”

As most Vikings players practiced Friday at the Sport Ireland campus, quarterback J.J. McCarthy joined a smaller group on a side field as he continued rehabilitation from a high right ankle sprain.