PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Some pretty good injury news for the Steelers with one practice left before hosting New England on Sunday.
Tailback Najee Harris (foot) went from a limited participant to full practice on Thursday. Same with corner Levi Wallace (ankle). Linebacker Robert Spillane practiced full for a second consecutive day.
Starter center Mason Cole (ankle) was limited and defensive lineman Cam Heyward got a veteran’s day off.
While Cole was limited, he was in good spirits and optimistic about playing against the Patriots.
“I feel good,” Cole said after practice. “I feel like I will be ready for Sunday, most likely. I will let practice be my guide. I felt good today. Everything felt good.”
Undrafted center JC Hassenauer is Cole’s backup. The walk-on at Alabama has started seven games and played in 29 early in his third year with the Steelers. Currently the third-string center is last year’s starter, Kendrick Green.
Jaylen blocking
You’ve probably seen the replays by now of a couple of Jaylen Warren’s blocks. It’s not just the fans noticing, his teammates have taken note of how the undrafted rookie has handled himself in those situations.
Center Mason Cole
“Some of those blocks he made, he was doing that all training camp. I think a week into training camp, we saw him make a block like that in pass protection. There aren’t a lot of backs that are willing to stick their nose in like that, but Jaylen’s willing to. It’s cool to see.”
“(Rookies) are going to get a lot of their time in pass protection, for young backs to come in on third down and pick up pressures is huge.”
WR Chase Claypool
“Jaylen had a lead block for me. I was watching it. He blocked a dude, lifted him up on the ground and made me smile a little bit. Coach put all of his blocks up in the film room & you could tell he gained players’ respect from the background murmur like ‘oh damn, he really did that’.”
Left Tackle Dan Moore
“He leans into guys. He’s not a big dude, but he lays people out. It’s pretty cool to watch on film. On Sunday when you hear that pop and you see stuff like that, there is nothing like it.”
“The physicality he shows, the way he runs the ball, not just him blocking. The way he carries himself every single play. He’s trying to dominate. I love it.”
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Adams old Family
Steelers defensive lineman Montravius Adams spent an off-season with the Patriots. He said what stands out about Bill Belichick is his attention to detail.
“It’s great as a football player,” Adams said. “If you are willing to grow and grow your knowledge. There isn’t a better guy you could be around. He taught me so many in-and-outs in a short time.”
“As a person, if you know how to identify the message. The main message. You’ll be great.”