The Pittsburgh Steelers donned full pads for the sixth straight practice Monday, and this was before a scheduled day off Tuesday. See what happened during Monday's workout at Saint Vincent College.
Sweatpant Squad continues to grow
Mike Tomlin has been very generous with veterans so far this training camp. Some might be dealing with minor bumps and bruises, or some might just get veterans days off, but the list of players not participating grows by the day. Those who sat out of Monday's workout for one reason or another: TE Matt Spaeth, QB Ben Roethlisberger, RB DeAngelo Williams, RB Josh Harris, WR Martavis Bryant, WR Markus Wheaton, S Shamarko Thomas, S Ross Ventrone, S Mike Mitchell, OLB James Harrison, NT Daniel McCullers and OG Ramon Foster.
Pouncey makes triumphant return
The Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list lost a member Monday as Maurkice Pouncey returned to practice. Pouncey was placed on the PUP list with a foot injury prior to training camp, and was always considered to have the least worrisome injury of the 5 who were placed on the PUP list. With Shawn Lemon being released and Pouncey back to work, it leaves CB Senquez Golson (Shoulder), QB Bruce Gradkowski (Shoulder) and OT Mike Adams (back) as the only remaining players on PUP list.
Cortez back to his old self?
Cortez Allen might never have been a top tier cornerback, even in 2013 when he earned himself a new contract heading into 2014. However, the Steelers don't necessarily need Allen to be the next coming of Richard Sherman (although that would be nice), they just need Allen to not be the same CB he was in 2014. All reports out of camp are Allen is slowly gaining his confidence back as he works against some of the best wide receivers in the league on the team's offensive side of the ball. This news should be music to fans' ears as Allen could be a big factor in the success, or failure, of the 2015 defense.
Quarterback depth is improving...sort of
Believe it or not, but Landry Jones is actually getting better...at least in practice. Jones has slowly come into his own, and the majority of that has been due to the increased number of reps he has gotten throughout this training camp. Jones had another solid outing Monday with some quality throws as Roethlisberger was given the day off, but behind Jones remains a question mark. QB/WR Tyler Murphy continues to get more repetitions over Tajh Boyd. This could speak to Boyd's progression, or it could be the Steelers wanting to get a good look at Murphy before having to make their first cuts. Either way, it seems Devin Gardner has been taken out of the running for the backup quarterback role and specifically placed as a wide receiver.
A little fighting never hurt anyone
It took longer than most thought, but if you had your money on the first training camp fight being between David DeCastro and Shayon Green, you are the lucky winner. As most would certainly have picked Maurkice Pouncey and Clifton Geathers, it was DeCastro and Green who were involved in a skirmish after a play in a red-zone drill. It is natural for players to get sick and tired of hitting one another, and luckily for the Steelers this Sunday they will have the chance to hit someone else when they play the Minnesota Vikings.
Steelers welcome new offensive coordinator for Monday's practice
Ben Roethlisberger was given a veterans day off Monday, but it doesn't mean he was completely out of the work being done on the field. Roethlisberger was the one calling plays for the offense when the team was going their drills and 11-on-11 work.
The Steelers have Tuesday off, and will return Wednesday at 2:55 p.m. EST for a session which will be open to the public.