NFL locals notebook: Edison alum Robert Golden, Steelers gear up for Broncos

It was an opportunity that Pittsburgh Steelers safety Robert Golden won’t soon forget.

During the Week 15 game against the Denver Broncos, the former Edison High star saw a chance for a pick-six interception with 11:25 remaining.

But it wasn’t to be, with the Brock Osweiler pass slipping away from Golden’s hands.

“Oh my God!” Golden said. “I dropped it. Won’t drop it again.”

Golden will get another opportunity Sunday when the Steelers face the Broncos in an AFC divisional playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

This time, future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will get the start behind center for Denver after missing some time because of a foot injury.

“Should be a good game,” Golden said. “They have an explosive offense. And of course they have the sheriff – a first-ballot Hall of Famer starting at quarterback this time around. Should be a great challenge for us and we are up for it.”

The Steelers defeated Cincinnati 18-16 in a wild-card game last weekend. Golden didn’t have a tackle but did have a pass breakup.

Golden is nursing a shoulder injury but is likely to be good to go by Sunday.

“We expect him to be available to us,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Even though he may be limited during the early part of our preparation.”

Golden played all 16 regular-season games and started three, finishing with 40 tackles – 30 solo. He had an interception against the Bengals in Week 14.

Golden will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but hopes to remain with the team. He was signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Arizona in 2012.

Locals roundup – Green Bay receiver Davante Adams (Fresno State) was having a decent game until he suffered a MCL sprain early in the third quarter of Sunday’s wild-card game at Washington. The Packers advanced to the divisional round with a 35-18 victory.

Adams, who caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, limped toward the locker room after the game and tests in Green Bay revealed a sprain that likely will keep him out of Saturday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. He did not practice Wednesday.

▪ Bengals rookie safety Derron Smith (Fresno State) saw extensive playing time against the Steelers, recording three tackles.

▪ Minnesota rookie middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (Hoover) totaled four tackles in a 10-9 loss to Seattle. He had a quarterback hit and two passes defensed.

▪ Washington tight end Marcel Jensen (Fresno State) was inactive.

▪ Kansas City cornerback Steven Nelson (College of the Sequoias) had a pass defensed in a 30-0 victory over Houston.

▪ Seattle placed tight end Anthony McCoy (Bullard) on injured reserve on Dec. 27.

Back out West – With the Rams set to return to Los Angeles, T.J. McDonald (Edison) and Cody Wichmann (Fresno State) also will be in line to be back playing in California. McDonald played collegiately at USC, and Wichmann played his high school ball at Mariposa.

The Rams, while awaiting for their new stadium to be built in Inglewood, likely will play again at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – where McDonald played his home games with the Trojans.

This story was originally published January 13, 2016 at 5:33 PM with the headline "NFL locals notebook: Edison alum Robert Golden, Steelers gear up for Broncos."