Steelers camp report: 6-day stretch ends with emphasis on short-yardage, goal-line situations

Mike Tomlin wasn’t about to let his Pittsburgh Steelers players go into their off day on a gentle note.

The Steelers practiced for a sixth consecutive day Sunday and for the fourth time in pads during that stretch. Two days earlier, the Steelers had a physical practice under the lights at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.

This occasion was no less intense. On a day when family and friends roamed the sidelines, Tomlin had his players practice short-yardage and goal-line situations.

“It was a day that featured the bigs: the offensive and defensive lines,” Tomlin said. “We’re not trying to trick anybody. On a day like today, you want to see who can come off the ball, play with good pad level, defeat blocks and maintain blocks.”

Even the “seven shots” 2-point simulation exercise that begins each practice featured a heavy dose of running. Another featured matchup came on the final period when Tomlin conducted the goal-line drill with a packed gallery of family members watching from behind the end zone.

The offense scored on just two of seven attempts.

“I thought we had some young defenders really stand up,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin held out Larry Ogunjobi so he could get rookie Logan Lee some reps at defensive end.

“They were stepping up in class and getting an opportunity to get skills to face more established guys,” Tomlin said. “It’s good when guys get an opportunity to do that and have success. I thought the young defensive line guys showed up.”

The off day comes at an opportune time for quarterback Justin Fields, who continues to take the first-team reps while Russell Wilson nurses a calf injury.

“This is personally the hardest camp I’ve been through,” said Fields, who is entering his fourth season in the NFL. “I’m proud of the way guys fought through the thickest part of training camp. I think we got better each and every day.”

Fields never experienced such a stretch in his three seasons with the Chicago Bears.

“I don’t know how many NFL teams are full-on tackling in camp,” he said. “It’s got to be under three if they are. Seven shots, I don’t think anybody else in the country does that. The parameters, how the practice is run and the intensity of everybody and tempo of practice — it’s very competitive out here, and you wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Wilson finally attempted a pass in an 11-on-11 team period. It was a short completion to wide receiver Duece Watts. It was his only attempt aside from 7-on-7 competition.

Asked whether it is a sign that Wilson’s participation will ramp up when players resume practicing Tuesday, Tomlin said, “See you next week.”

Tomlin paused and said “no” when asked if Wilson audibled out of a run play.

Tomlin listed no new injuries. Rookie wide receiver Roman Wilson no longer was sporting a walking boot that he had been wearing since injuring his ankle Tuesday.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, outside linebacker T.J. Watt and left guard Isaac Seumalo returned to practice after resting Saturday. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was limited to 7-on-7 periods as has been the case recently. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen did not practice for the second day in a row, but no reason was given for his absence.