LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – A lot of the names that likely will make the big plays on both sides of the ball won’t play Saturday in the Steelers preseason opener. There are also a handful of players who won’t play due to injury.
As Mike Tomlin put it on Thursday, the big number of guys who won’t go in Jacksonville ‘don’t need the runway to takeoff’ because of their experience.
“Oftentimes I preserve them through this process while providing more opportunity for those that need more preparation or more opportunity to display their talents,” Tomlin said.
Those not playing due to coach’s decision
· QB Aaron Rodgers
· WR DK Metcalf
· TE Jonnu Smith
· TE Pat Freiermuth
· G Isaac Seumalo
· RB Jaylen Warren
· CB Jalen Ramsey
· CB Darius Slay
· CB Joey Porter
· LB Patrick Queen
· S DeShon Elliott
· DL Cam Heyward
· OLB TJ Watt
· OLB Nick Herbig
· K Chris Boswell
There are 4 players who are dealing with what Tomlin called short-term injuries.
· OLB Alex Highsmith
· CB Cory Trice
· WR Calvin Austin
· CB Donte Kent
Tomlin said there isn’t a plan in place in terms of how much any of the remain starters or veterans will play.
“For those who will be playing, our mindset is if you are in uniform, you are prepared to play throughout the course of the game,” Tomlin said. “It’s up to the coordinators whether or not some of those people will be used throughout the game.”