Steelers Training Camp Nuggets: What you need to know from the 8/16 practice

With camp reaching its final stretch, the boys were back in full gear today, for another camp day at St. Vincent College. The storylines in today’s session: the return of many Steelers players including one from the PUP list, a future hall of fame quarterback making it look too easy in today’s play of the day, and an alien-like receiver showing why he will be a force to be reckoned this season.

So Steelers fans, let’s go!

Injury Report:

Today’s news was excellent on the injury front. After weeks on the PUP list, wide receiver Sammie Coates was officially activated, adding to the depth of the already deep Steelers receiving corps. Coates as reported by Steelers analyst Tunch Ilkin and reporter Dale Lolley, participated in one-one-ones and the ‘seven shots’ drill. As reported by Missi Matthews of Steelers.com , All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey was back in pads and participated in some individual drills, but did not participate in ‘seven shots’ or any of the team drills.

Rookie cornerback Cameron Sutton was also seen on the field working in the individual drills, but did not participate in any of the contact drills. Rookie running back James Conner was in full gear and was an active participant in contact drills. Quarterback Landry Jones was also back on the field, but his participation was limited to individual drills. Lastly, wide receiver Demarcus Ayers was seen dressed in his pads, but different reports showed that he did not partake in any of the drills.

The remaining list of players who did not participate in today’s session: Ryan Shazier(hamstring), Senquez Golson (hamstring), Mike Mitchell (lower body), and Keion Adams (shoulder).

Play of the Day:

As described by ESPN Senior writer Jeremy Fowler, future hall of fame quarterback Ben Roethlisberger executed a behind-the-back flip pass to rookie receiver Juju Smith-Schuster for a goal line touchdown. The played elicited a series of ‘woos’ and a little shimmy dance by Roethlisberger.

Training Camp Action:

Video provided by @Steel_Curtain4

Picture provided by @DVEMike

Notable Performers:

Martavis Bryant - Today was officially Bryant’s second practice (not counting yesterday since they were not in pads), and he was dominant, as expected. As reported by @Steel_Curtain4 , Bryant accounted for two touchdowns in one-one-ones against cornerback Ross Cockrell, one of which blew past him. If he wasn’t difficult enough to handle when he was under 211 lbs and unfocused, he is going to be a nightmare for cornerbacks at 6’5, 230 lbs, and with a renewed sense of passion for the game of football.

Jacob Hagen - Though his name does not get mentioned enough, the truth is that Hagen has had a solid training camp. As reported by @Steel_Curtain4, Hagen accounted for an interception off of quarterback Joshua Dobbs, and a pass breakup. From all accounts, he has a better showing in training camp than fellow safties Robert Golden and Jordan Dangerfied. Hagen has come a long way from being released twice from the team in 2016, and upcoming preseason games could be his chance to gain serious consideration for the 53-man roster.

Joshua Dobbs - Dobbs, the boy wonder, is one of the most resilient players that Steelers have had in a while. Whenever Dobbs makes a mistake, he has this incredible ability to process it, let it go, then respond in a positive way. In the two minute drill, as noted in Fowler post-practice report, Dobbs started with two near-interceptions. Dobbs stayed focused and ended up going 7-for-10 with a touchdown pass to receiver Eli Rogers at the end of the session. Making mistakes is part of being a rookie, but Dobbs is seemingly embracing this process rather than letting it affect him.