LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin had a talk with the team before practice on Tuesday as they returned from an off day about starting strong. He said he immediately felt an energy and urgency at St. Vincent College on Tuesday.
Here is the Fan 5 from Steelers camp in Latrobe which included a new quarterback injury.
#1 Will Howard and other injuries
No one seemed to see it directly, even Tomlin, who said he believed Will Howard injured his throwing hand during a quarterback exchange nearing the halfway point of practice. It isn’t believed the injury is serious, but he will be evaluated Tuesday night.
· Tomlin confirmed a groin injury for outside linebacker Alex Highsmith, who will miss the next couple of days and then be evaluated again
· TE Jonnu Smith left practice under his own power with knee soreness
· Joey Porter, Junior was a partial participant, working his way back
· Calvin Anderson and Calvin Austin did not practice
· Jalen Ramsey was given the day off
#2 Rodgers show
The offense scored on every first-team possession during 7 Shots as Aaron Rodgers was 3-for-3. He led the two-minute offense (clock was set at 1:41) from his own 40 down near the red zone without using a timeout available to him. The offense was on the same page, it was the first time he really got to let loose and have a football-like drive. It ended on pass intended for Roman Wilson in the red zone knocked free by Brandin Echols and intercepted by Juan Thornhill. It looked like Echols may have gotten there a little early, regardless is was as smooth as the offense has looked all camp.
“He’s in complete command,” Tomlin said. “I saw some things I saw from the opposing sideline over the years in terms of his ability to take advantage of substitution changes and so far. He’s been doing it at a high level for a long time.”
#3 Roman Wilson
No doubt it was the best day of camp for receiver Roman Wilson. He made a great catch on 7 Shots in the back of the end zone. He had a couple of other noticeable plays Tuesday.
“I tell myself, don’t get too high or get too low, just be consistent,” Wilson said. “Just stay consistent. You guys like to say, I showed up today. Just come back tomorrow and try to repeat it.”
Wilson said he’s been working on his footwork and feels he has a good relationship with Rodgers.
“I want him to use me,” Wilson said. “I want to be that guy.”
#4 Skylar Shot
Howard’s injury came after 7 Shots and the first 11-on-11 drills which opened it up for Skylar Thompson, who had had barely any team reps this camp. Thompson ran a couple of full-team periods and 7-on-7. He also got an opportunity with a two-minute drive. The clock set to 1:41 and he drove the team down to the one-yard line and his fourth-down pass was dropped with nine seconds left.
“I felt like I did some good things,” Thompson said. “I made some good decisions, made some good throws. The two-minute drill was good. The missed snap
#5 7 Shots and Notes
7 Shots
· Yahya Black & Isaiahh Loudermilk were the defensive linemen for the first series, Aaron Rodgers threw back shoulder TD to DK Metcalf
· Rodgers buys time finds Jonnu Smith for a TD
· Rodgers behind Roman Wilson, who adjusted and made a diving catch in back end zone TD
· Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson up the middle for a TD
· Mason Rudolph to JJ Galbreath, stopped short by Chuck Clark
· Will Howard middle slant to Brandon Johnson between 2 defenders TD
· RB Evan Hull fumbles, Jack Sawyer was quickly in the backfield
Notes
· Cam Johnston had four straight punts of 60-plus yards out of his own end zone and five of six as he was listed as an either/or as the starting punter
· Ke’Shawn Williams had a great toe-tap catch on the sidelines
· Patrick Queen had an interception on a pass by Rodgers off the facemask of Connor Heyward
· Former Steeler Ryan Clark was among those watching on the sidelines