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Steelers' Mike Tomlin called out Jonathan Dwyer after Raiders game

A costly fumble prompted Steelers coach Mike Tomlin to call out the third-year running back in front of his teammates.

Andy Lyons

After Jonathan Dwyer fumbled on a key possession in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 34-31 loss to the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 23, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin let Dwyer know he wasn't happy, according to Trib Total Media.

According to right guard Ramon Foster, Tomlin posted on the team meeting room message board that Dwyer wouldn't play the next week against Philadelphia. Tomlin also held him out of the Tennessee game.

For Dwyer, it was one fumble and two games lost.

"Coach put it on the board for everyone to know that he wasn't playing that weekend," Foster said. "I'm glad to see him respond."

Dwyer responded well, rushing for 122 yards on 17 carries against in the Cincinnati Bengals in his first career start Sunday. It was the most yards for a Steelers running back since Rashard Mendenhall had 146 last October.

Foster said Tomlin's decision to make the benching public "will make you hungry."

Dwyer, 23, has rushed for 192 yards on 41 carries this season. He also has four catches for 24 yards.

The sixth-round pick in 2010 appeared in just one game in his rookie season and seven last season. He has yet to record a touchdown in his 12-game career.

Dwyer's performance helped the Steelers bump their record to 3-3. Pittsburgh will look to get above .500 when it hosts the Washington Redskins (3-4) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

Photographs by dizfunk used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.