LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – A few injuries as the Steelers went through practice and got it all in just before lightning surrounded St. Vincent College on Sunday. They will have Monday off and when they return on Tuesday, the pads come on.
Here is the Fan 5 from Steelers camp.
#1 Left tackle injury
Starting left tackle Broderick Jones was dealing with an apparent injury on Saturday and didn’t compete in team drills on Sunday. Jones is day-to-day with a soft tissue injury. Calvin Anderson took the first rep at left tackle and then Dylan Cook took every other one with the first team throughout the rest of practice.
Head coach Mike Tomlin played off the importance of it being Cook taking most of the reps over Anderson saying they are just acclimating to play right now without pads. He said he’s not assuming anything in terms of specific roles and specialization.
Other injuries
· Starting left guard Isaac Seumalo has yet to practice, also with a soft tissue injury, but was on the field with a jersey.
· Fullback/tight end DJ Thomas-Jones suffered a left lower leg injury and they will have more information on the severity on Tuesday.
· WR Montana Lemonious-Craig also left practice with a soft tissue injury.
· RB Cordarrelle Patterson has yet to practice, but has been seen at practice. His status is unknown
#2 Yahya Black blocks
Fifth-round pick, defensive tackle Yahya Black batted down a pair of passes on Sunday. Both were against Mason Rudolph and ones he had to reach up for, not thrown low. His senior season at Iowa, the 6’5”, 330-pounder knocked down a couple passes, blocked a field goal and had seven tackles for loss.
“It’s something we really value culturally,” Tomlin said. “I think Cam (Heyward) probably led all interior defensive linemen in the league last year, Benton was also high. We work at it. He has an aptitude for it and hopefully it continues and even more so.”
#3 Echols Energy
If you year a defensive back yelling or see one getting the team and himself fired up, likely its first-year Steelers Brandin Echols. He has bounced around camp and on Sunday broke up a pass and also had an interception during the 7-shots drill. While it’s likely he starts the season as a back-up, particularly with the addition of Jalen Ramsey, Echols provides more depth to an area of concern last year.
“I like Echols a lot,” Tomlin said. “He’s a hard-working guy, he’s a professional. Certainly, we’ve competed against him in the past, not only as a defender, but a core (special) teamer. He’s made some plays and it’s reasonable that can continue.”
The 27-year-old spent his first four NFL seasons with the Jets with five interceptions and 16 PBUs over 57 games (19 starts).
#4 7 shots and notes
7-Shots from the 2-point conversion spot
· Aaron Rodgers quick out right to TE Jonnu Smith, TD
· S Juan Thornhill PBU on pass from Rodgers to DK Metcalf in end zone
· Rodgers middle quick TD to TE Pat Freiermuth
· Mason Rudolph pass dropped by RB Max Hurleman
· Rudolph floating pass to TE Darnell Washington intercepted by Echols
· Will Howard TD right flat to RB Evan Hull
· Rodgers incomplete back of the end zone to WR Roman Wilson, safety DeShon Elliott had great coverage
Other Notes
· There was a brief fight between linebacker Cole Holcomb and offensive lineman Ryan McCollum, Calvin Anderson and Nick Herbig helped break it up quickly
· Rodgers threaded a pass between Darius Slay and a linebacker to Jonnu Smith for a big gain
#5 Quotes
S Chuck Clark
“This is a first for me coming in this late, having to pick up the playbook. I know football, that’s one thing for sure. At the end of the day, it’s putting terminology to it in a difference scheme, different concepts. I know football at the end of the day, I know where to be.”
OT Troy Fautanu
“I’m excited. There is a lot of banter between the offense and defense right now. I’m super-excited just to be able to play real football. As an offensive lineman the worst thing is to play football in shorts and t-shirts.”
LB Malik Harrison
“It’s camp, it’s just the nature of it. You got to have some fights just to get that bond.”