Steelers First Preseason Game: Colon and Heyward Ruled Out, Rookies Mike Adams and David DeCastro to Start

All eyes will be on the boys up front during the Steelers preseason opener Thursday evening in Philadelphia. At his Tuesday morning press conference, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin announced that guard Willie Colon will miss the game against the Eagles. Colon, trying to make the transition from right tackle to left guard after missing the past two seasons due to injury, had his ankle rolled up on Friday when Ramon Foster chucked a defender into the back of his leg, and will be replaced by Foster at left guard.

Tomlin also ruled out defensive end Cameron Heyward for this Thursday's game. Heyward, the team's first round pick from a year ago, is suffering from a back injury.

Funny enough, that rules out two of the three parties in last Friday's scrap that began when Heyward got pancaked by rookie second round pick Mike Adams. Heyward went after Adams and Colon stepped in to break it up, but then was inspired to plant his own fist in Heyward's face mask.

Speaking of Adams, he's half of a pair of rookie offensive linemen that will be starting - first round pick David DeCastro will get Foster's spot at right guard, and Adams will start at left tackle after consistently getting reps ahead of Trai Essex during practices. However, it's notable that Essex was still listed ahead of Adams on the first official team depth chart that was released Monday (Lolley speaks the truth - check out the whole thing here).

According to the Post Gazette's Gerry Dulac, more players could still be ruled out for Thursday's game.