LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – The first touchdown during two-minute drills during Steelers camp was engineered on Thursday, by quarterback Skylar Thompson. The same Thompson that was forgotten about more the first week plus of camp and really didn’t get an opportunity until Will Howard’s injury on Tuesday.
Thompson got one of two chances to run a two-minute drill, actually 1:41 on the clock with the ball at their own 40-yard line. Mason Rudolph was incomplete on fourth down earlier. The 28-year-old started with a nine-yard pass to Connor Heyward, got the team to the line and dropped back and threw a beautiful pass over the linebackers to Ben Skowronek in the middle of the field for 24 yards. Next pass was as pretty in the back of the end zone, but Roc Taylor couldn’t get a second foot down. Thompson came right back to Taylor on a back-shoulder throw to the four-yard line before Lew Nichols ran it in for a score.
“Really working a scenario that will come to life on Saturday is a good feeling, building some confidence in everybody,” Thompson said. “The more we rep that stuff out and work out the kinks and get more continuity. We are making some good plays.”
Thompson could get a ton of reps in the game at Jacksonville on Saturday. Aaron Rodgers won’t play and Logan Woodside only had one practice with the Steelers. You wouldn’t figure Rudolph would get a lot of run in the first preseason game.
“It’s fun,” Thompson said. “I love competing and getting opportunities to go out there and play with my teammates. I’ve gotten to know these guys really well and care about them. I want to go out there and deliver for them.”
“I really enjoyed getting out there and getting some more reps and more opportunities, been trying to make the most of every one I get. Trying to have fun, it’s a fun game, just trying to smile through it all and give it my best.”
Camp Notes
7 Shots
· Jaylen Warren TD up middle (maybe false start)
· Aaron Rodgers incomplete left side Scotty Miller, miscommunication
· Rodgers scramble to Brandon Johnson TD (likely sack)
· Mason Rudolph incomplete, knocked down at line
· Rudolph TD in the flat to Evan Hull
· Skylar Thompson stop route middle De’Shawn Williams
· Rodgers Inc back end zone Miller, only 1 foot in
Notes
· Several did not practice including Alex Highsmith, DJ Thomas-Jones, Calvin Austin, Donte Kent, TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Chris Boswell, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith
· Of the one-on-one drills, spirited work between outside linebacker Jack Sawyer against tight end Darnell Washington, with the offensive player winning the matchups
· Nick Herbig continues to be a problem for the offense in that drill
· DL Yahya Black knocked down a couple more passes on Thursday, it’s becoming a trend
· WR Lance McCutcheon made a leaping catch over James Pierre during one-on-one drills and kept his feet inbounds
· Best pass of the day by Skylar Thompson in that same one-on-one drill to Ke’Shawn Williams, a perfect throw into the back corner of the end zone for a 25-yard TD
· Rudolph had a good deep throw of about 40 yards that Robert Woods laid out to catch during 7-on-7 work
· Washington made a nice blitz pickup of Beanie Bishop to allow Rodgers time to find Roman Wilson across the middle. Rodgers made it a point to find Washington to give him credit for the play
· Only 3 more open practices this year at St. Vincent College starting on Monday at 1:55p.