LATROBE, PA (93.7 The Fan) – It was another day led by the defense, going 6-1 on seven shots and stuffing other short-yardage offensive plays. Towards the end of practice, one of the hardest-hitting linebackers even switch sides. They were in full pads Sunday at St. Vincent College as we head into the last couple of days before the preseason opens.
Here is the Fan 5 from Steelers camp.
#1 Alex Highsmith injury
During a one-on-one pass rush Sunday, Alex Highsmith was unable to finish a rep and didn’t finish practice. Head coach Mike Tomlin said Highsmith stopped because ‘he felt maybe his groin’. He said Highsmith is being evaluated and they will have an update on Tuesday to his condition. The team if off Monday.
Corner Joey Porter, Junior, wide receiver Calvin Austin, defensive back Donte Kent, defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo and tight end Pat Freiemuth (veteran’s day) did not practice at St. Vincent College.
#2 1st team offensive line reunited
Left guard Isaac Seumalo and left tackle Broderick Jones went full in practice on Sunday and for the first time this camp they had the starting offensive line together. Jones and Seumalo took the first team reps in 7 shots, goal line and 11-on-11 team drills. Reserve center Ryan McCollum and fullback/tight end DJ Thomas-Jones were back at practice as were a number who had a veteran’s day on Saturday-TJ Watt, Cam Heyward, Keeanu Benton, Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith.
#3 Mark Rob fullback
Linebacker Mark Robinson played fullback for the first time for the first two plays of goal line at the end of practice. Robinson was a running back early in his college career, but never played fullback before. Tomlin said they wanted to give it a look and see what it looks like.
“We were talking about it in meetings, I thought they were joking that he was really in the offensive room,” said linebacker Patrick Queen. “It was crazy ending up on the other end of the ball.”
As Queen saw Robinson coming for him on the first play, he said ‘this probably isn’t going to end up too good’, but Queen was able to ‘ole Robinson and miss full on contact from the hard-hitting linebacker.
“Maybe we’ll do some more in the future with him,” Tomlin said. “Maybe we’ll do some more with others. The more versatile you are it adds to your cause and it adds to ours.”
Tomlin said he didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.
#4 2 days of NFL refs & 7 shots
Tomlin praised having an NFL officiating crew at camp on Saturday and Sunday to allow his players to ask questions and then to know if they are playing clean. He said not only in terms of penalties, but ‘pre-snap cleanliness’ on offense and neutral zone awareness on defense.
“We appreciate those guys,” Tomlin said. “It’s the preseason for the officials as well. Their presence benefits us, just from communicating with those guys, they need the prep as well. We are thankful for that partnership.”
7-shots
· Aaron Rodgers low for Jonnu Smith (Jalen Ramsey coverage), incomplete
· Rodgers incomplete for Ben Skowronek (Darius Slay coverage)
· Rodgers threw away, Ramsey had DK Metcalf covered
· James Pierre stops Trey Sermon on run
· Mason Rudolph threw behind TE JJ Galbreath incomplete
· FB Evan Hull inside shotgun handoff up the middle for a TD
· Will Howard incomplete back corner for WR Roc Taylor
Notes
· It was another day won by the defense and just more missed opportunities by the offense.
· Rodgers did have one pass where he moved in the pocket to find a wide-open Metcalf for a big gain
· Rudolph had a nice pass to the left sideline catching TE Darnell Washington in stride for 30 yards.
· Team only scored on the goal line drill on an alley-oop from Rodgers to Washington
· Undrafted rookie safety Sebastian Castro had an interception and pass breakup
#5 Quotes
Scotty Miller on DK Metcalf
“He’s impacted it in a great way. You see the stuff he does on the field and his physical ability. But even more so off the field and in the meeting room, his ability to communicate with us and how he sees the game. Help us giving us little things he does to win, it all helps.”
Kaleb Johnson on help from Jaylen Warren
“Every day he always asks me ‘what do you need to get better at’? I tell him and we do it.”
Nick Herbig asked about the outside linebackers switching sides
“I can’t give you the sauce man.”