NFL NOTES: Steelers fire offensive coordinator Canada

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers fired embattled offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Tuesday, two-plus years into a tenure in which the team struggled to generate points and yards with regularity.Head coach Mike Tomlin announced the move two days after the Steelers managed just 10 points in a dismal loss to Cleveland, saying in a statement that he appreciated Canada's "hard work and dedication."That dedication, however, wasn't enough to help Pittsburgh's offense break out of a familiar pattern that has dogged the franchise in recent years. The Steelers (6-4) have remained in playoff contention in spite of an offense that ranks 28th in yards and points.Frustration outside the organization has been mounting for months. Fans chanted "Fire Canada" during a win over Cleveland on Sept. 18, a refrain that became ubiquitous throughout the region and meme-worthy on social media.While Tomlin defended Canada for weeks, frustration inside the locker room may have reached a breaking point after the Steelers were held to 249 yards — including just 106 passing — against the Browns. Running back Najee Harris said in the aftermath that he was getting "tired of this (stuff)" with wide receiver Diontae Johnson saying simply "you saw the game" when asked what might be wrong.Perhaps most damning for Canada is the way quarterback Kenny Pickett's growth has stagnated. Drafted in the first round in 2022, Pickett put together a promising rookie season a year ago and showed flashes of being a difference-maker during the preseason this summer.It all vanished once the games started to count. Pickett has just six touchdown passes — just two since the beginning of October — and his accuracy has dipped even after the Steelers moved Canada from the coach's box to the sideline recently in an effort to facilitate better communication and flow.Chiefs' Carter nearly picked Mahomes' spike KANSAS CITY — Inspired by video of a high school player picking off a quarterback's spike, Eagles rookie Jalen Carter nearly did it to Patrick Mahomes before the end of the first half of Monday night's game.After the Chiefs hurried to the line of scrimmage to stop the clock, Carter dove between center Creed Humphrey's legs as Mahomes tossed the ball into the ground. The ball bounced off Carter's hands and hit the turf.Harrison Butker kicked a field goal to give Kansas City a 17-7 halftime lead but Philadelphia rallied for a 21-17 victory in the Super Bowl rematch."I saw it on the internet, I've seen it on YouTube, some high school kid tried, and he actually caught the ball. I thought, 'That's a good idea,' I knew they would spike it, so I tried to go for it," Carter told WIP-FM.There are a couple instances where high school players have made this play. Expect more NFL players to try it now. NFL suspends Broncos' Jackson 4 games for illegal hit DENVER — The NFL suspended Denver Broncos safety Kareem Jackson four games without pay on Monday for repeated violations of the league's playing rules intended to protect players. Jackson's latest banishment stemmed from his hit on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Sunday night in Jackson's first game back from his first suspension for an illegal hit on Packers tight end Luke Musgrave on Oct. 22. The 14th-year pro acknowledged upon his return from suspension last week that he couldn't guarantee he'd keep from getting in the NFL's crosshairs again for his overly aggressive play, and it didn't take long for him to prove it. On the game's third snap, Jackson led with the crown of his helmet on a third-and-1 run by Dobbs, jarring the ball loose. No flag was thrown and nickel cornerback Ja'Quan McMillian jumped on the loose ball at the Vikings 30-yard line. Dobbs went straight to the medical tent but came right back out and didn't miss any snaps. "It seemed like a pretty direct helmet-to-helmet type hit," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connnell said after the Vikings' 21-20 loss. "The rule is what it is. They didn't throw the flag. It happened fast out there. We'll have to take a look at it." Seahawks believe QB Smith will play Thursday RENTON, Wash. — Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll says he believes quarterback Geno Smith will be able to recover from an arm injury in time for Thursday's game against San Francisco. Carroll said Smith likely won't participate in practice for a couple of days to give his arm rest and get additional treatment. Carroll said there is no structural damage after Smith suffered a contusion to the tendon where the triceps meets the elbow in the 17-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Smith was injured in the second half on a hit from Aaron Donald. "They're doing everything they can to work through that. We'll see how it goes," Carroll said.