Steelers 2017 Training Camp Recap 7/30: Injuries mount as players don pads

The Pittsburgh Steelers were back at Saint Vincent College, first time since the run test on Day 1, and they were also back to hitting. The team donned full equipment for the first time this training camp, and the injury list has begun to grow.

Not all injuries were due to the physicality of the game, but a certain acclimation process needs to take place for the players to get themselves into game shape.

Let’s take a look of news and notes following the team’s first padded practice...

Injuries mounting

Plain and simple, there is a long list of injuries to note. Take a look for yourself:

Heat Related Injury
Keion Adams
Xavier Grimble

“Soft Tissue” Injury
Vince Williams
Mike Mitchell
Senquez Golson
Scott Orndoff
James Conner (Shoulder)

Other
JuJu Smith-Schuster (Ankle)
Sammie Coates (Knee)

Ben Roethlisberger also missed practice, but it was an excused absence by head coach Mike Tomlin. Although most of these injuries are not the long-term, season-threatening variety, you don’t want camp injuries to linger. The players don’t have a scheduled day off until Tuesday, and that day can’t come soon enough for some of the players on the aforementioned list.

After all, training camp is only 3 practices old...still a lot to accomplish.

‘Backs on ‘Backers

Of course Mike Tomlin had his team doing his favorite ‘backs on ‘backers drill to get the pads popping early. For those who may not be familiar with the drills, it is typically a linebacker vs. either a tight end or running back. The drill heavily favors the linebacker, but many offensive players hold their own.

From camp reports, Fitzgerald Toussaint and James Conner both held their own, while Phazahn Odom got tossed around like a rag doll. On the defensive side, it was T.J. Watt, Anthony Chickillo and Bud Dupree who turned some heads on the defensive side of things.

There will be plenty more where this came from, so if you are at camp...get your popcorn ready!

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