McCarthy mum on roster decisions for preseason opener

LATROBE (93.7 The Fan) – Often Mike Tomlin would say how long starters would go and a rotation for the quarterbacks in the preseason, with Mike McCarthy, he wants to get through a padded practice on Tuesday, which had to be moved inside due to weather, and then evaluate who will get reps against the Packers.

McCarthy said they will determine Tuesday night after what he hoped to be a full practice in pads. He would divulge he plans on playing three groups of players, the first group is likely going a series or two.

“I think there are a number of variables that go into it, where you are as a program, obviously this is our first year together,” McCarthy said pre-practice on Tuesday. “This is a veteran football team. This is the most experienced team I’ve coached in my tenure as a head coach. Who is playing with who? The combinations of who will play together.”

McCarthy said health is the most important part and that drives these decisions. It’s where he might pull back with veterans.

“I would love to give you all the answers to the quiz and your questions, but this practice is important. We’ll see how we come out of it today.”

Is Rodgers playing?

There was no definitive answer about Aaron Rodgers playing Thursday against the Packers. Rodgers told The Athletic he plans to play up to 40 snaps the entire preseason. McCarthy said Rodgers expressed to him he wants to play.

“I’ve never had a quarterback that didn’t want to play,” McCarthy said. “It’s really how it all fits together.”

Iheanachor update

McCarthy said first-round pick tackle Max Iheanachor is making progress, but will not play in the game Thursday. McCarthy added ‘he is getting close’.

Missed assignments

If there is an area McCarthy really wants to see improvements it’s missed assignments. He attributes that mostly to installing new systems and the speed in which they have to do it without the same amount of time to be on the practice field.

Back home

The Greenfield native said it will mean a lot on Thursday coaching his first game as the Steelers head coach at Acrisure Stadium. He believes it will hit him when he’s driving to the stadium, but he has a lot of work to do.