Steelers camp report: Defensive stars take day off as Mike Tomlin works others into rotation
Defensive players with a collective 16 Pro Bowl selections and 10 All-Pro awards weren’t on the field for the second padded practice of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.
Coach Mike Tomlin used the occasion Wednesday to rest defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. They were withheld from practice on an 85-degree day at Saint Vincent.
On the offensive side of the ball, veteran guard Isaac Seumalo got a day off, and veteran guard James Daniels received a partial day of rest.
“We’re providing what they need to be ready to play football,” Tomlin said. “When we set them down and provide them rest days, it’s shorter lines for others to show what they are capable of. We’re getting multiple things done when we take that approach.”
Per NFL rules, teams can practice no more than three consecutive days in pads. The Steelers hold another morning practice Thursday before heading to Latrobe Memorial Stadium for the annual Friday night lights practice.
Tomlin did not provide a medical update on third-round draft pick Roman Wilson, who left practice Tuesday with an ankle sprain suffered on a jet sweep. Initial reports are Wilson will miss at least two weeks.
Tight end Rodney Williams, who sprained an AC joint over the weekend, returned to practice in a limited capacity. Outside linebacker David Perales left early with a knee injury, and outside linebacker Kyron Johnson exited with hamstring tightness.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
Remove the ads from your TribLIVE reading experience but still support the journalists who create the content with TribLIVE Ad-Free.