PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Dwayne Haskins got his first opportunity to run with the Steelers first team offense during the final drill of practice on Sunday. Haskins completed a two-minute drive, actually the clock set at 1:38, with a touchdown pass to Chase Claypool.
So obviously Tomlin was pleased.
“The lesson to be learned there, the defense had an interception in their hands and didn't finish the play,” Tomlin said. “You just can't give signal-callers another shot at you. Obviously, he went and produced a scoring drive, but when the defense gets their hands on the ball, we have to close it out. That’s the lesson to be learned today.”
Mason Rudolph would lead the backups to their own touchdown on a pass to Anthony Johnson.
Haskins again looked in complete control and making clean throws Sunday. Going two-for-two on the daily seven shots segment of practice, basically a two-point conversion. Haskins was the third QB in that drill and hit Rico Bussey for a pair of touchdowns.
Rudolph was 0 for 2 with a pair of passes too high for his receivers. Ben Roethlisberger went 1 for 3 with a TD to Diontae Johnson. Safety Terrell Edmunds had a nice pass breakup on Roethlisberger’s second pass.
RB return
A free-agent signee from the Chargers, Kalen Ballage returned to full drills after missing the game on Thursday due to injury. Ballage scored a touchdown in the preseason opener. The 25-year-old worked after Najee Harris and Anthony McFarland.
Green still missing
Talked up by the Steelers Offensive Line Coach on Saturday, rookie center Kendrick Green missed practice for a second consecutive day. The team has Monday off as the starters, who went all of the first team 11-on-11 drills Sunday, from left to right, Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, JC Hassenauer, Trai Turner, Zach Banner.
Okorafor got into a scuffle with Jamir Jones as others quickly jumped in including TJ Watt coming over from the defensive sidelines. Veteran Rashaad Coward and Isaiah Buggs tangled a few plays later.
No change with Watt
While Watt did come on the field during the scuffle, he was absent from all team drills as he has been all camp. Stephon Tuitt was at practice, but he didn’t participate in team drills either. Tuitt hasn’t participated in any 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 drills the entire training camp.
Joe Haden, Eric Ebron, Melvin Ingram, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud, Benny Snell and Antoine Brooks did not practice in team drills. The latter four due to injury.