Fans heading to Acrisure Stadium for the Steelers first and only home preseason game won’t see many of the team’s big names take the field on Saturday.
Head Coach Mike Tomlin said “I’m going to play this preseason game, very much like the first one.”
Meaning many of the starters won’t play.
That includes quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith, running back Jaylen Warren, and offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo.
On defense, linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, Defensive tackle Cam Heyward, inside linebacker Patrick Queen and the entire starting secondary are all not playing.
Tomlin said outside linebacker Nick Herbig might get some playing time.
That means Mason Rudolph will start on offense for the Steelers.
It also means we likely won’t see Aaron Rodgers take a game snap until the regular season starts Sunday, September 7 against his old team, the New York Jets.
The Steelers host the Tampa Buccaneers on Saturday at 7 p.m.