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With the Pittsburgh Steelers starting the second week of training camp, many fans want to know who is injured, and who has returned to practice. At this point, it might be easier to tell you who is healthy, compared to who is injured.
Just take a look at what went down at the start of practice as beat reporters kept fans up to date:
Antonio Brown not practicing today for the Steelers. That rarely happens. But he is here in a ball cap. #dkps #Steelers
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 1, 2018
TJ Watt still not practicing. Sean Davis also out. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 1, 2018
Al Villanueva has his jersey off and right shoulder wrapped.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 1, 2018
Rookie Chuks Okorafor with the first team offense at left tackle.
Signals he’s definitively the leader for “swing tackle” job
Tight end Ryan Malleck leaving early leaving the Steelers thin at that position with McDonald also out. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 1, 2018
Now James Washington leaves practice, getting his left foot looked at.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 1, 2018
So, there is that.
Mike Tomlin spoke to the media after practice (video below) and said Antonio Brown and Alejandro Villanueva weren’t practicing with undisclosed injuries, but the list of the walking wounded for the Steelers continues to grow.
For some fans, missing so many big-name players is a huge problem, but there is a flip side to that coin. Those players missing has given backup players a legitimate shot to show what they can do against top competition.
Villanueva being out meant Chukwuma Okorafor was the starting left tackle. Brown being out put JuJu Smith-Schuster, Justin Hunter and Darrius Heyward-Bey on display in different positions for the coaching staff to see.
At this point in time, the Steelers are given the benefit of time. They can let players rest minor injuries because there is no rush, but the time when these nagging injuries need rectified or they will miss meaningful games is around the corner.
Time to check on some non-injury nuggets from Wednesday’s training camp practice:
Terrell Edmunds drawing rave reviews
The Steelers’ top pick has been turning heads, and not just with his interceptions of Ben Roethlisberger. He has been doing well in 1 v. 1s, in run support and in pass defense.
Edmunds comes up to drive Conner out of bounds behind the line of scrimmage in live run. Gets kudos from everyone. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 1, 2018
It's only 6 practices but you can tell Terrell Edmunds is the real deal.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) August 1, 2018
Kickoff Returns are a focus
The NFL has changed the rules on kickoffs, and the Steelers spent time focusing on special teams. See what went down:
Steelers now practicing actual kickoff returns.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 1, 2018
Showing having me deep man in end zone (a change from past) with Nix and James Conner 10 yards in front (Ridley/Fitz also rotate in those spots)
Returner order:
JuJu
Quadree
Sutton
Justin Thomas
Also Cam Sutton and Quadree Henderson.
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 1, 2018
Sutton the only defensive player https://t.co/PnxNHbRwMS
VIDEOS
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following practice at #SteelersCamp. https://t.co/5TPdk9KjjK
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 1, 2018
Communication and tackling have been the early areas of focus for our secondary at #SteelersCamp. pic.twitter.com/CnZiIIxVwp
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 1, 2018
Chickillo and Jesse James in one on one run drills. #Steelers #dkps pic.twitter.com/r8pcgC8PuO
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 1, 2018
PHOTOS
Antonio Brown getting a day off as the Steelers begin Wednesday’s practice. pic.twitter.com/8R2qHASXeB
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 1, 2018
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/Z7pesvyIaD
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 1, 2018