The Pittsburgh Steelers have just a few training camp practices left, and while there are times it is still considered “football in shorts”, the team has had plenty of news coming from these workouts heading into the preseason.
Wednesday the Steelers returned to some sense of normalcy as the team continues to rebound after the loss of wide receivers coach Darryl Drake this past weekend. The weather cooperated, and the Steelers wore pads for practice for the last time during training camp.
There were some highlights from camp, so let’s get down to business from Wednesday’s workout:
2 minute drill
The Pittsburgh Steelers finished the practice with the two-minute drill, and this is always a very exciting part of any camp practice. The Steelers offense had two quarterbacks, Ben Roethlisberger and Joshua Dobbs, lead the team on one drive each. Wouldn’t you know the defense, yes the defense, actually won both of these drills.
Chris Carter of DKPittsburghSports gives the breakdown of those drills:
Defense wins both 2min drills w/forcing TO on downs vs Ben and an INT on Dobbs.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 14, 2019
Solid coverage most plays. Gilbert and Hilton had nice plays over the middle, Vance caught a good floater from Ben.
Dobbs INT looked like an overthrow on Switzer’s hook. #Steelers #dkps
If you are wondering why Mason Rudolph wasn’t given a chance, according to Carter the team splits overall reps with both Dobbs and Rudolph, not necessarily in particular drills.
Finney exits early
Fans were concerned when they saw tweets like the one below from DKPittsburghSports’ Dale Lolley of B.J. Finney being carted up to the dorms from practice.
BJ Finney just left practice early. Didn’t see what happened to him. #Steelers #Dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2019
However, as it turns out, Mike Tomlin said after practice Finney left practice due to heat related issues.
Tomlin says Finney was carted off earlier due to heat concerns. “Normal August football stuff there,” he says. Indicated no major injury there as JC Hassenauer played center today. #dkps #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 14, 2019
Walking Wounded Update
There were plenty of Steelers who were held out of practice Wednesday, but there was also some good news as players like Maurkice Pouncey, Joe Haden and Vince Williams are nearing their return back to the practice/playing field.
The #Steelers are in pads today.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 14, 2019
Maurkice Pouncey, Joe Haden, and Vince Williams are on the field, but not in uniform.
Another late addition, Zach Gentry.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 14, 2019
Devin Bush also is not practicing. He is in uniform but is wearing a floppy hat.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 14, 2019
Camp Darling falling behind
When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Northern Illinois outside linebacker Sutton Smith in the 6th round of the 2019 NFL Draft, fans fell in love. A spark plug of a player who can play multiple positions, but fans haven’t seen much of him since camp started as he has been nursing in undisclosed injury.
With him likely not playing on Saturday night, Tomlin was asked if he was falling behind, and his answer was precise.
When asked if Sutton Smith is falling behind, Mike Tomlin simply replied “Yes.” #Steelers #dkps
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 14, 2019
Not a good comment from a head coach when it comes to a player whose spot on the team is anything but solidified.
Seven Shots
The offense has absolutely dominated the seven shots drill throughout Training Camp, and why would anything change now? The Offense wins 4-3, and Chris Carter gives us the breakdown of what went down.
And #Steelers 7 shots in the books, offense wins 4-3.
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) August 14, 2019
Ben goes 2-4 with TDs to Vance & JuJu. One breakup by Edmunds on an amazing jump. Edmunds has INT on reverse pass from JuJu.
Dobbs goes 2-3 with 2 TDs to Johnson and a great throw to Grimble but 1 foot out. #dkps
Last day in pads
As I said earlier, the Steelers will wrap up training camp on Thursday, their final open practice, and that meant Wednesday was the last padded practice of the 54th Training Camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Coach Tomlin said today was the last day in pads for the team in Latrobe. Thursday is the final #SteelersCamp practice open to the public and media.
— Missi Matthews (@missi_matthews) August 14, 2019
PODCASTS
VIDEOS
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin addresses the media following Wednesday's practice. https://t.co/oPJhB0xxQY
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 14, 2019
#LIVE: The crew takes you through today's practice report, gives an update on the defensive backs and more on #SteelersLive. https://t.co/WsWpI4JvC0
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 14, 2019
Alejandro Villanueva on Coach Drake: "Everyone respected him." pic.twitter.com/pBX2oFu5hF
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 14, 2019
Ray Sherman observes while Blaine Stewart barks out instructions and Marcel Pastoor throws passes to the Steelers receivers. pic.twitter.com/j2GHxTzTWS
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 14, 2019
PHOTOS
Joe Haden in good spirits as he plays catch with Terrell Edmunds before practice. Still out with a foot contusion but walking without a limp. pic.twitter.com/FqQasGPIgD
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 14, 2019
After a preseason debut that Mike Tomlin called a ‘really solid performance’ based on performance, rookie linebacker Devin Bush is not practicing Wednesday. Bush had 10 tackles and a pass breakup against Tampa Bay. pic.twitter.com/AHwvgESgGB
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 14, 2019