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The Pittsburgh Steelers have had two training camp practices under their belt now, and while it is still considered “football in shorts”, the team has had plenty of news coming from these workouts.
It is a great way to get everyone acclimated, but also a tremendous opportunity to get some players quality repetitions who might not get those reps any other time. There might not be any position which better exemplifies this more than at the backup quarterback position.
While not for a starting position, the battle between Mason Rudolph and Joshua Dobbs for the QB2 role on the depth chart has been discussed for months. As expected, Dobbs was given the primary backup role on Day 1 of training camp, and Day 2 had Rudolph under center.
Rudolph getting second-team snaps today after Josh Dobbs did Friday #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) July 27, 2019
Dobbs’ first day was rough during live 7-on-7 drills. He threw back-to-back interceptions before missing an open receiver in the end zone. Rudolph’s day was a bit better Saturday when he threw a touchdown and ran another one in during goal line drills.
This isn’t to suggest Rudolphs will win the No. 2 quarterback role after one bad Dobbs practice and one decent Rudolph practice, but the revolving door at QB2 has started. It is safe to say you can expect Dobbs to move back behind Ben Roethlisberger on Sunday, and so on and so on...
Needless to say, the job on the depth chart will start to take shape when the preseason games start, and fans will finally get a chance to settle the Dobbs vs. Rudolph debate once and for all.
Time to hit on some other news from Day 2 at camp...
Offense wins 7 shots again
The Steelers’ offense had gotten the best of the defense so far in training camp (2-0), but that could change when the pads start popping.
Offense wins seven shots, 4-3. Roethlisberger TD to JuJu and a sneak. Mason Rudolph to Doug Rader and runs one in. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) July 27, 2019
Through 7 Shots and first Team scrimmage today, the beast is JuJu, and impressive showings by OLB Ola, WR Spencer and QB Rudolph.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) July 27, 2019
JuJu Smith-Schuster has come to play...
Every practice, going back to Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and Mandatory Minicamp, JuJu Smith-Schuster has shown he has put in the work this offseason to prove all the doubters wrong.
It’s obvious through 2 practices that JuJu Smith-Schuster has taken it to another level.
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) July 27, 2019
James Washington vs. Artie Burns sounds highly contested
Two players many fans have written off, for different reasons, have been going head-to-head in training camp, and it certainly seems as if it is a good battle going on. Washington has won his, and Burns has gotten the best of Washington too. Iron sharpens iron.
James Washington with a leaping grab down the sideline from Ben in 7 on 7. Went up over Artie Burns. Looked like a Swann/Stallworth play. #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) July 27, 2019
Burns with a pass breakup on Washington. Had him blanketed #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) July 27, 2019
Injury Update
While T.J. Watt continues to be a spectator at training camp with a hamstring injury, wide receiver Johnny Holton will be joining him with his own hamstring injury suffered during practice Saturday.
WR Johnny Holton suffered a hamstring injury during practice. TJ Watt remains on PUP. No update on his status. Tomlin said there is no reason to rush him back.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) July 27, 2019
Chris Boswell starts his journey back
They were short distance kicks, but 8-for-8 is a good step in the right direction.
2. Chris Boswell began the long climb back by going 8-for-8 on short field goals from various distances (Matthew Wright also 8-for-8). These weren’t the pressure kicks Mike Tomlin insisted would be coming at the outset of camp. But it was at least a start for Boswell.
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 27, 2019
VIDEOS
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following the second practice of #SteelersCamp. https://t.co/pAGg6CYfZ5
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2019
Nothing like post-practice fun for some of #SteelersNation for all of their community service! #SteelersHuddlefor100
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2019
: https://t.co/FSvGUkutD9@_BigBen7 | @RamonFoster | @MaurkicePouncey pic.twitter.com/tZ3XV7MHKf
7️⃣➡️8️⃣5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/n2r39dQdYX
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2019
@CamHeyward pic.twitter.com/lbPw2vTAg3
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2019
Day 2️⃣
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 27, 2019
Let's do this.@JamesConner_ | @_Dbush11 pic.twitter.com/xFvwpMRxXk
Life of JuJu at training camp: ‘Dude, I signed this dude’s head (Friday).’ pic.twitter.com/MwIQnrhKnb
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 27, 2019
PHOTOS
Rookie Sutton Smith wearing short shorts and high white socks with white shoes, looking like he belongs at a 1970s Steelers camp. Gonna be a fan favorite. pic.twitter.com/nvjcOIBDB7
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 27, 2019
Snapshots from Saint Vincent: Assistant head coach John Mitchell striking a familiar pose. He’s been coming here with the Steelers since 1994. pic.twitter.com/Rdaa8BW8CT
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 27, 2019
Wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster has caught almost everything over the first two days and seems well on the way to establishing deep ball chemistry with Ben. pic.twitter.com/BJjebIC2L9
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 27, 2019
The defensive line coming off the ball (which in this instance is attached to a stick). pic.twitter.com/NdTi8BBl1V
— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 27, 2019