PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The injuries the big story of the Steelers first half, here are a few other story lines with the starting units in the preseason finale against Detroit Sunday. Both offensive and defensive starters played the entire half.
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O-line
As much as you think it would be about the quarterbacks, the Steelers first-team offensive line is quickly was the story again.
On the first drive, a pair of sacks. To be fair, on both plays the receivers did not get separation and no one was open. QB Mitch Trubisky could have at least thrown it away on the first one. Still, a three-and-out to begin.
Second Steelers offensive possession, following a blown assignment up the middle and a Najee Harris negative play, Trubisky hit Diontae Johnson on a perfect throw for a 38-yard fly route completion on third down. A quick snap led to an 11-yard gain, it seemed like the problems may have been corrected.
After a couple of positive plays, a holding call on left tackle Dan Moore. A jet sweep by Gunner Olszewski got 12 yards before a second holding call on Moore. After an incompletion to Olszewski as Trubisky had to get rid of the ball, a false start by left guard Kevin Dotson. There were some frustrated boos as Chris Boswell gave the Steelers a 3-0 lead with a 45-yard field goal.
Steelers offense under Trubisky failed to get touchdowns despite consecutive first half possessions deep in Detroit territory (Lions 19 and Lions 25-yard-line). A pair of three-and-outs ending in Boswell field goals. He would lead a touchdown drive on the final series of the second quarter.
Harris debut
Out for a lot of camp and back practicing full after a foot injury, Tomlin not only played Harris the first series, but much of the first half. Najee’s plays:
· 3-yard gain
· Loss of 2 yards
· 11-yard gain
· 0-yard gain on a screen
· Loss of 2 yards
· False start
· 2-yard reception
QBs
Trubisky would play the entire first-half finishing 15 of 19 for 160 yards and a touchdown. The only QB without a two-minute drive in the pre-season so far this year, Trubisky got the ball at his own eight-yard line with 1:34 to play. The veteran drove it down the field 92 yards finishing with a six-yard touchdown to Steven Sims with 16 seconds left. Trubisky threw a perfect sideline back shoulder to George Pickens for 22 yards on the drive and a 32-yard seam pass to TE Pat Freiermuth to set up the TD.
Starting D
Even after the injury to TJ Watt, Tomlin continued to play starting defensive linemen Tyson Alualu and Larry Ogunjobi along with Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, Myles Jack and Minkah Fitzpatrick for most of the first half.
Notes
· Cam Sutton intercepted a pass thrown right to him and returned it 45 yards to the Detroit 19-yard line.
· Fitzpatrick would get a sack on the first play of the second quarter.
· Hamilcar Rashed started in place of injured linebacker Alex Highsmith
· Heyward had a pair of passes defended.
· Devin Bush started and had a huge stop on a 4th and 1 on the Detroit 25 assisted by Jack
Inactives
All missing time during practice the following did not play Sunday-DL Isaiahh Loudermilk, DL Montravious Adams, WR Calvin Austin III, WR Chase Claypool, DB Arthur Maulet, FB Derek Watt, OLB Alex Highsmith, OL Joe Haeg