Big Max hurt as the intensity rises Up Camp with the Steelers

LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – Arguably the best player in Steelers camp, or at least opening in the most eyes early, first-round pick Max Iheanachor stopped doing drills early in the workout with an undisclosed injury.

The rookie tackle appeared to injure his shoulder or neck. Iheanachor looked like he tried to stretch it out a few times. He hung out through a few more periods, standing and watching, and then left the field and walked up to the training area at the top of the steps.

We are expecting more information on his injury Friday morning from head coach Mike McCarthy. Again, the severity of it is unknown.

Early camp standout Max Iheanachor

With Iheanachor out, Broderick Jones worked with the second team at right tackle. Guard Steven Jones had been the second-team right guard, but didn’t practice, and was replaced by rookie Gennings Dunker.

Overall, it was a better day for the defense on the longest day of practice so far, nearly two-and-a-half hours. Cam Heyward appeared to get a veteran’s day off, rookie Eli Heidenreich didn’t practice as the Mt. Lebanon HS football team visited. Joey Porter, Junior, Jalen Ramsey and Donte Kent remain on the PUP list.

More intensity

You saw a few more players get tackled, accidently, during drills. It has to be hard for defensive players to try to holdup. Asante Samuel, Junior made a good tackle wrapping the legs of Pat Freiermuth and immediately got up and was like ‘my bad’, and sought out the tight end to tell him.

Linebacker Payton Wilson was active in hitting people and also talking on Thursday. He also came over at the end of a drill and knocked into Ben Skowronek after he and Patrick Queen got into some shoving.

“Patrick Queen is one of my best friends on the team, also love Ben,” Wilson said. “Me and Ben are pretty close. He and PQ were getting into it. I just got to protect my brother.”

“I mean, it’s Fall Camp. We are getting into the dog days of camp, people are tired, people are sore. We love each other, brothers fight all the time. Someone messes up, we get into it a little bit then we’ll be eating lunch together.”

McCarthy impressed with Mason Rudolph

Best catch

Wide receiver Kaden Wetjen picked a pass nearly off the turf over the middle. Rookie Germie Bernard had a combat catch, but risking selecting a repeat winner, DK Metcalf also made a combat catch on the left sideline for about 20 yards against Jamel Dean.

Best throw

Mason Rudolph scrambling to his left, yet was able to make a perfect throw to Roman Wilson near the left sideline for nearly 20 yards.

Different kicker

Chris Boswell didn’t kick during field goal drills, rather it was undrafted rookie Laith Marjan out of Kansas. He made all of the close field goals before his 49-yard attempt hit the right upright. Marjan finished the reps making a 54 yarder.