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The Pittsburgh Steelers are almost done with their 50th trip to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. Only three practices remaining on the training camp schedule and the session was one to remember as tempers flared. Other than the usual training camp injuries, the Steelers have certainly avoided the fights and skirmishes which make headlines during this time of year on the NFL calendar.
When tempers flared in practice Wednesday it was rookie outside linebacker Bud Dupree losing his cool with offensive linemen Kelvin Beachum and Marcus Gilbert. Things got so heated at one point it took multiple players and coaches to restrain the rookie. Eventually, Mike Tomlin had to intervene and he kicked Dupree out of the drill.
See what was being tweeted during the altercations and the aftermath.
Altercation: Appears it was Dupree and Beachum. Harrison trying to calm rookie down.
— Chris Bradford (@BCTBradford) August 19, 2015
Bud Dupree just got into a fight w the #Steelers' OLine. He lost.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 19, 2015
Biggest practice scuffle of camp so far. Bud Dupree was absolutely livid at some OL member. Was held back by Harrison, Heyward, Gay, et al.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 19, 2015
Good scrap at camp. Dupree so mad that Harrison had to calm him down.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly_Trib) August 19, 2015
Dupree wasn't backing down even from Harrison. He was NOT happy with whatever happened. #steelers
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) August 19, 2015
Ramon Foster helped separating Dupree from the rest of the offensive line, yelling "What are you trying to prove??"
— Neal Coolong (@NealCoolong) August 19, 2015
Bud vs OL 2: first snap one on ones, Dupree vs. Gilbert. Snap. Fight.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) August 19, 2015
There are no reports as to what caused the fight, but the team (especially Dupree, Beachum and Foster) will eventually give their take on what happened Wednesday.
When Mike Tomlin was asked about the scuffle after practice, his answer was predictable, "That's football."
Special Teams work
Garrett Hartley had a solid practice as the team worked it's two-minute drill to close out practice again. Hartley nailed 47 and 53-yard field goals to close out the session. Also in special teams work, Jordan Berry had an amazing practice with punts which traveled 70-yards. Seems the punter battle with Brad Wing isn't over just yet.
So long, farewell to 'Z'
The Steelers 6th round draft pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Jordan Zumwalt, was placed on the waived/injured list and the team signed L.J. Fort off waivers from the New England Patriots. Zumwalt simply couldn't stay healthy enough to get a fair shake at both the ILB and OLB positions. Zumwalt spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve, and once clearing waivers will have to try and resurrect his NFL career.
Scare with Big Ben
During the team's 11-on-11 drills, Jarvis Jones rushed the quarterback and it looked as if he poked Ben Roethlisberger in the eye. Roethlisberger got the injury treated and didn't miss much of practice, but after the session stated it wasn't Jones' finger which caught him in the eye, but dirt which was thrown up into his eye. All in all, he will be fine...as Steelers Nation breathes a sigh of relief.
Villanueva sporting a new position
In the team's red-zone work Wednesday, they reported back-up offensive tackle Alejandro Villenueva as an eligible receiver. Villanueva had a Roethlisberger pass thrown his way, although he was unable to bring the pass down. Villanueva has been moved around this preseason, from the left side to the right, and as a former tight end in college with Army, they are now seeing what kind of hands the big man still has.
Who's in, and who's out
The players who did not participate in Wednesday's practice were: Vince Williams (hamstring), Lawrence Timmons (toe), Heath Miller (veteran's day), Jordan Zumwalt (eventually got released), Josh Harris (foot), Cameron Clear (knee), C.J. Goodwin (undisclosed).
Ross Ventrone (ankle) returned to practice for the first time since injuring his ankle in the first training camp practice of 2015.
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The Steelers return to practice Thursday at 2:55 p.m. EST, and the session is open to the public.