Steelers News: Mike Tomlin keeps cards close to the vest when talking about Steelers’ injuries

The Pittsburgh Steelers returned to the gridiron when they reported back to training camp. With practices underway, the news surrounding the black-and-gold is just starting to heat up. As the team prepares for the coming season, we continue to provide you with features, commentary and opinions to tide you over until the season starts!

Today in the black-and-gold links article we take a look at how Mike Tomlin didn’t really give a good glimpse into the team’s injuries heading into the Week 2 Preseason game vs. the Kansas City Chiefs.

Let’s get to the news:

• Wanting to know the latest update on the Steelers’ walking wounded? Well, don’t expect to get the low down from Mike Tomlin.

Mike Tomlin offers vague injury updates for Saturday’s second Steelers preseason game

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Though Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he expected more players to play Saturday than did in last week’s preseason opener, he was vague in disclosing any information on most of the injury news regarding players.

Safety Sean Davis again practiced Thursday and is expected to make his preseason debut at Heinz Field against the Chiefs. Center Maurkice Pouncey was in uniform (on a non-padded practice day) but appeared to be in a limited capacity. With his 10-year NFL veteran status, it would be shocking if Pouncey played Saturday.

Among those who again sat out practice were guard David DeCastro, cornerback Joe Haden, linebacker Vince Williams and tight end Christian Scotland-Williamson. Interior offensive lineman B.J. Finney did not practice a day after he left a session for what Tomlin said were heat-related issues.

Four members of the rookie draft class — linebacker Devin Bush, receiver Diontae Johnson, tight end Zach Gentry and linebacker Sutton Smith — are dealing with injuries. Johnson and Bush are expected to play Saturday after practicing Thursday, and Smith’s return to practice suggests he could, too.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• Diontae Johnson hasn’t been available much this preseason, but when he has he has been turning heads.

Diontae Johnson impressing Steelers with his skills, frustrating them with his injuries

By: Chris Adamski, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

It was the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round pick who most impressed during their first preseason game.

Will their second pick from this year’s draft shine in their second game?

Like first-rounder Devin Bush did in his NFL preseason debut last week, Diontae Johnson has mostly wowed teammates and coaches with his talents. But for Johnson, that’s only happened when he’s taken part in training-camp practices at Saint Vincent.

That participation has been far from a daily occurrence, mostly because of a groin injury. And Johnson, the quick and shifty receiver who was taken near the top of the third round out of Toledo, also missed much of summer organized team activities because of injury.

“You’d like to see him on the field,” quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said, “because then you can kind of see what he can and can’t do.”

The rest of the organization and Steelers fans likely second that notion. Everyone could get what they wish for Saturday night when the Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs in preseason game No. 2.

To read the full article, click HERE (Free)

• The last training camp practice was built around the kickers.

Steelers Inside the Ropes: Kickers take center stage at final camp practice

By: Joe Rutter, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Coach Mike Tomlin’s intention is to have kickers Chris Boswell and Matthew Wright alternate attempts Saturday when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Kansas City Chiefs in their second preseason game.

Circumstances, however, could lead to Tomlin changing his mind.

“We have a couple more days of work,” Tomlin said Thursday before the team’s final practice at Saint Vincent. “We will challenge them some here in these settings, and the outcome of those challenges may dictate otherwise.”

The kickers were put to the test Thursday before the threat of lightning forced practice to wrap up an hour earlier than scheduled.

Boswell and Wright, the undrafted free agent who is challenging to unseat the incumbent kicker, each made 6 of 7 tries while kicking from distances spanning between 33 and 52 yards.

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