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Steelers 2016 Training Camp Day 10 Recap: WR Eli Rogers getting the job done in second season

The boys are back in town, and see what happened on Day 10 of work at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA as the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for the 2016 NFL season.

By Jeff.Hartman
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers shed the pads and heavy contact for Saturday's practice, especially after the Friday night practice at Latrobe High School. However, just because there were no serious contact drills doesn't mean there wasn't a lot to take away from the most recent practice.

Of all the names who keep getting brought up on the offensive side of the ball, there is one common denominator -- Eli Rogers. Maybe it is intrigue over the fact Rogers broke his foot in his rookie season out of Louisville in 2015 and fans are getting their first real glimpse of the wide receiver, and possible return man. Or maybe it is the reality of Rogers grabbing the 5th wide receiver spot on the team over rookie Demarcus Ayers.

Either way, Rogers continues to perform, and take advantage of other's misfortune.

Earlier in camp Ayers was banged up and missed a couple practices, and it was Rogers who filled in as return man and in the slot on offensive drills. When Markus Wheaton was held out of practice in offseason workouts, as well as recently in camp, Rogers was the man who stepped up to the plate.

Mike Tomlin often talks about how one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity, and it seems Rogers is following this methodology to a 'T'.

With that said, Rogers will have to perform outside of practice to solidify his spot on the team, but through two weeks of training camp he has entrenched himself as the favorite to make the 53-man roster, but a lot can change when real bullets start flying.

7 Shots

Time for the daily update on the team's two-point conversion/short yardage drill to start every practice. The defense continues to dominate the overall count on this drill, winning Saturday's practice 4-3.

2-minute drill

The Steelers introduced the two-minute drill for the first time in training camp, and it was met with mixed results. With Ben Roethlisberger at the helm, the team converted a 54-yard drive in 1:00 which was capped off by a 15-yard Roethlisberger to Eli Rogers touchdown pass.

The second team offense, led by Dustin Vaughan, stalled at the 24-yard line.

Injury Report

Landry Jones, who injured his ankle Friday night, returned to practice, showing his ankle injury likely won't keep him from any practice time in the coming days. Ryan Shazier did limited work, Ramon Foster and Markus Wheaton were given days off.

Mike Tomlin was asked about Ladarius Green's return, and when asked if he is "close", his response was "Yes". When Green himself was asked about any timetable for his return, he said he doesn't know and is taking it day-to-day. The Steelers are in no real rush to get Green back on the field, but would hope to get him back relatively soon to develop a rapport with Ben Roethlisberger, and the rest of the offense before the regular season.

Mike Tomlin Press Coverage

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