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Report: NFL Investigating If Steelers Used Deflated Football In Win Over Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) –  The NFL is looking to see if the Pittsburgh Steelers used a deflated football in their win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Thursday night's preseason game at Lincoln Financial Field.

According to WIP's Howard Eskin, the ball was used during the third quarter of the Steelers' 31-14 win over the Eagles.

Eskin claims he saw the ball after an incomplete pass by Mason Rudolph. He described it as looking "like a marshmallow."

An NFL spokesperson said, "All footballs were in compliance with NFL rules following the pregame inspection process and all proper procedures were followed.  In the third quarter, a football that was found to be defective was removed from play and will be sent back to Wilson for review."

Back in 2016, the New York Giants accused the Steelers of using deflated footballs in Week 13.

Jay Glazer reported that two balls were tested and were found to be underinflated. While the league was notified, no formal complaint was filed.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said while the Giants may have found the balls to be underinflated, NFL officials did not.

"But that's why you don't rely on somebody else testing them. They're using a different device. Somebody else is testing them. They have to be tested by the officials who use the same device to make sure there's accuracy in that."

The issue of deflated footballs gained national attention when the New England Patriots were accused of using them during the 2015 AFC Championship Game.

Following a long investigation that was drawn out in court, quarterback Tom Brady was suspended for four games. The team was also fined $1 million and had to surrender two draft picks.

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