LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – On the Steelers first day in pads at St. Vincent College, an injury to a rookie while quarterback Russell Wilson got some team work for the first time this camp.
Wide receiver Roman Wilson was running an inside handoff to the right corner when Anthony Averett made a nice open field tackle, but as Wilson was going down he hurt his ankle. He was taken off the field in a cart with no other update to his status.
A third-round pick out of Michigan, it was believed Wilson could compete for reps this season including an outside shot of number two receiver reps.
QB Wilson
In full pads, quarterback Russell Wilson, who has been battling calf tightness, went through some team period drills. He did a few seven-on-seven snaps and participated in a handoff during an 11-on-11 rep.
"I feel good, getting better every day," Wilson said. "It's just good to be out here with the guys, putting the helmet on. Getting the work today, the quarterback drills and fundamental work. Being in there with the fellas is always the best part. It was a good day."
"We will play it day-to-day and play it by ear," said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. "I'm slowing down the progress and I've been pretty clear about this."
Backs on backers
It's one of the favorite drills of camps when backs (running backs & tight ends) battle one-on-one against backers (inside and outside linebackers). It's essentially the backs having to pass protect. Among the standouts, the speed of Nick Herbig causing issues again, although tight end Darnell Washington did a good job on him a couple of times.
"It's a challenge every rep," Washington said, adding he's been getting help from tackle Broderick Jones. "At the end of the day it's going back and relying on your technique and confidence levels. Today I made one (block), maybe tomorrow, who knows. Each day we come out and compete."
Najee Harris and Elandon Roberts had a couple of battles and one Harris took Roberts to the ground. The highlight was the last two matchups of the period as rookie linebacker Payton Wilson used a spin move to get around Warren and on the next rep, Warren knocked Wilson flat on his back which really energized the other backs.
"Physical," is the word Warren used to describe the matchup. "He brought it, but I knew he was going to bring it, so I had to bring it. He's a strong dude, I've been through that. I had to bring my best."
Warren said he loves it because not only is it physical, but it's you against another man.
Linemen vs lineman
There were also linemen on linemen drills and it was highlighted by TJ Watt running over rookie tackle Troy Fautanu and then in the next two attempts, Fautanu came back to win. Zach Frazier and Montravious Adams had a couple of good battles and Nate Herbig held his own against Keeanu Benton.
Isaac Seumalo went up against Cam Heyward as Isaac said that is always a challenge he looks forward to.
"Nothing but respect for the guy, we go against each other a lot," Seumalo said. "It's always iron vs iron. Hopefully there is a mutual respect because I think he's a hell of a player and a future Gold Jacket guy."
7 Shots (from the 2-yard line)
· Najee Harris muscles in for a touchdown up the middle
· Justin Fields fade route as George Pickens makes a one-handed catch over Joey Porter, Junior, keeping his feet inbounds.
· DeShon Elliott, TJ Watt and others stuff Jaylen Warren
· Harris ran behind Isaac Seumalo for a touchdown on the left side
· Nick Herbig, DeMarvin Leal and others stuff tailback Jonathan Ward at the one-yard line.
· Averett tackle of Roman Wilson
· Fields with a touchdown run to the right corner on a designed play
Camp notables
Two days after legendary singer Smokey Robinson roamed the sideline, Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu was at camp on Tuesday along with Bryant McFadden, Chris Hoke, Charlie Batch and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.
