LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – Already without Diontae Johnson (contract decision during team drills), Steelers receiver Chase Claypool had to leave practice and go back up the hill at St. Vincent College to the training room with a shoulder injury.
It's not yet known his status with a practice tomorrow and then full pads on Monday. Head Coach Mike Tomlin did speculate that it is probably not serious. In two seasons, Claypool has 121 receptions, 1733 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns (9 his rookie year).
Steelers were also without tight end Pat Freiermuth as Head Coach Mike Tomlin specified that the lower body situation is a hamstring injury. He was out there for practice, but didn't participate and is day-to-day.
"It was an opportunity for Jace (Sternberger) to work and show his skills in a different group," Tomlin said. "That's something we talked about last night as a team and will continue to highlight. I want these guys to know that in an environment like this, opportunity is going to knock. You don't know when it is going to knock for you to advance and get some more reps or work in a different group. They have to be continually working so that they are ready to seize those moments."
Good catches
Mitch Trubisky threaded a needle to rookie receiver George Pickens in traffic over the middle as one of the highlight catches Friday. Another was Trubisky hitting Zach Gentry about 20-yards down the field as he went up over Myles Jack to come down with the toughest catch of the day.
"Zach has been a guy in development since he's been here," Tomlin said. "It started with his body. For those of you who have been around, he's really put on some weight and really embraced the role that he's in the process of carving out for himself. It's been a nice, natural maturation process over the time he has been here. It's reasonable to expect it to continue. He's been doing a good job."
Kenny Pickett would have had the longest and prettiest throw of the day, but Miles Boykin dropped the fly pattern. You could hear Tomlin saying 'we got to make that play'.
Another skirmish
Last play of the day, at the end of a run, rookie offensive tackle Jake Dixon, from Bethel Park, continued on with defensive lineman Khalil Davis, finishing his block probably longer than he could have. As the whistle blew, Khalil's brother, defensive lineman Carlos Davis, ran across the field and hit Dixon as he was standing there. A huge scrum ensued for about 30-45 seconds before order was restored.
"Just play to the whistle and things ended how they did," Dixon said. "Going hard and trying to mix it up. It's the third day of camp and trying to get after it."
"We are working hard and competing our tails off," Tomlin said. "It's an opportunity to learn from a professionalism standpoint, working to keep it professional. From time-to-time it happens, none of us like it, but each a teaching opportunity."
7 Shots
It was the second day of the seven-shots drill, placing the ball at the two-yard line, and it was a good day for the defense after the offense won 4-3 Thursday.
· Mitch Trubisky incomplete to Zach Gentry in the back corner
· Trubisky rolled out, no throw (D credited with stop)
· Trubisky overthrew Anthony Miller, Athkello Witherspoon coverage
· Trubisky incomplete to Kevin Rader, Damontae Kazee coverage
· Mason Rudolph in flat to Jeremy McNichols, TD
· Rudolph cross to Steven Sims as he just crossed the goal line
Hall of Honor
Team President Art Rooney will announce the next members of the Steelers Hall of Honor Saturday afternoon at St. Vincent College. The first class was unveiled five years ago. We know Ben Roethlisberger's name won't be mentioned yet, you have to be retired at least three seasons before being considered. James Harrison might be the biggest name not yet inducted.
