Steelers rookie CB Artie Burns not expected to play vs. Saints in Week 3 of preseason

When Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin met with media earlier this week, he spoke on which players will be suiting up, and playing, against the New Orleans Saints in Week 3 of the preseason, and he talked specifically about rookie first round pick Artie Burns.

Burns had just returned to practice after a groin injury has sidelined him since early in training camp at Saint Vincent College. While Tomlin spoke of Burns possibly getting a chance to play, it looks as if that chance has been relegated to the final week of the preseason, and not Friday night.

"I'm not playing this week," Burns told Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I most definitely will be back next week, though.

"Just taking everything day by day. I've just got to make sure I am ready to be back in game mode, really."

It is disappointing for fans who long to see the prized draft pick from the 2016 NFL Draft class, but it can't be any more disappointing for Burns and his teammates who have yet to see him play in even an NFL exhibition. Burns declared to be ready to play next week, another road trip to play the Carolina Panthers in Week 4 of the preseason.

Despite his lack of repetitions, Burns is anxious to get on the field, and vows to be ready for Week 1 when the team plays Washington on Monday Night Football.

"I'll most definitely be ready."