LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – The first day of physicality can be a challenge for veterans, let alone those experiencing NFL hitting for the first time. There was an interception, a negated touchdown, multi-generations and an injury amongst the first-year players.
The injury occurred relatively early in practice on Tuesday, as cornerback Corey Trice was setting a block, he went down. The fear is a significant knee injury, but tests were still being run. What we can say is he was unable to put any weight on his right leg and had to be taken off on a cart as he slumped over with his head in his hands.
"It was really tough," said fellow rookie Joey Porter, Junior. "I'm really praying for him to get back as fast as possible. You never want to see that happen and I feel for him. It's a terrible situation."
The seventh-round pick has shown some flashes not only in early camp, but in voluntary work in May and June.
Darnell Washington scored a touchdown, briefly. It was a play near the end of practice, the defense was offsides, so Mitch Trubisky scrambled thinking he had a free play and threw a jump ball to Washington from about 15 yards that he came down with for a touchdown. It was determined by Mike Tomlin the offense had an illegal player downfield negating the score. The play, however, was a sign of how they might be able to use the Georgia rookie.
Earlier in the day QB Kenny Pickett said Washington was the one player he was looking forward to getting more time together.
"Just hearing that excites me," Washington said. "I 100% want to build that chemistry with Kenny. I know he's a great quarterback, everybody knows that. I just want to make that connection with him."
He'll probably get opportunities to block for him. The tight end said Tomlin called him out in front of everyone during the backs on backers drill and had him go against TJ Watt. Washington said he held up well against the former Defensive Player of the Year.
"It sharpens your game," Washington said. "It helps my game or anybody's game to go against him."
Billed as the battle to watch, and it still might be, Broderick Jones watched Dan Moore take nearly every first-team rep at left tackle. Jones would get a snap or two with the first unit, but not doubt on the first day full pads at training camp, it was still Moore's job.
OLB Nick Herbig flashed some of his quickness during backs on backers drills. He had some good matchups with Connor Heyward, once just tearing around his outside. Heyward also got the best of him, but the rookie outside linebacker showed why the team was high on him even if he doesn't yet have the size.
Porter, Junior had a guest on Tuesday, Joey Porter, Senior was back on the fields at St. Vincent College.
"We were just talking about that with my dad, having me sit there and watch a practice and now I'm actually doing a practice," said Porter, Junior. "It's crazy. It doesn't feel real, but it's happening and I'm blessed."
Porter had his first career camp interception against Trubisky. It was a pass down the right sideline intended for receiver Cody White during 11-on-11 drills.
"It felt great to get the first one under my belt in training camp," Porter, Junior said. "It's like everything I've tried to rep before and after practice, locating the ball, coming up with my hands. The fact that it's paying off feels good. Just going to keep trying to stack them."
He and George Pickens continue to battle during camp, during play and with their talking. Pickens made an unreal one-handed catch over Porter during one-on-one drills.
"Iron sharpens iron, he caught some crazy stuff down there, I don't know how he caught it," Porter, Junior said. "It's great. We are always going to talk here and there, but we are teammates at the end of the day. We want the best out of each other. We will keep working."
"As Coach said, we are a professional team, not an MMA team."
Nor are they a polished team, but for the rookies an opportunity to show more of why the Steelers drafted them. They will practice Wednesday through Sunday in Latrobe. Friday is the night workout at Latrobe Memorial HS.
