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PITTSBURGH — We’d like to let you know how Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger seems forward of his 18th NFL season. Alas, he has accomplished little or no within the two instances we’ve seen the Steelers in particular person this week.
Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has taken few reps in coaching camp
Roethlisberger didn’t play within the Corridor of Fame Recreation and took only a handful of 11-on-11 snaps throughout Sunday’s apply right here at Heinz Area. He did participate in seven-on-seven and one-on-one reps, however was merely a spectator through the practice-ending two-minute interval.
On stability, our sense is the Steelers imagine preserving Roethlisberger wholesome and contemporary is extra vital than getting him expertise in Matt Canada’s offensive system. Canada took over as Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator this offseason after the workforce parted methods with Randy Fichtner.
Roethlisberger ought to have a consolation stage with Canada’s teaching fashion; the latter served as the previous’s place coach in 2020. However there might be some early bumps until Roethlisberger’s workload goes up quickly.
On Sunday, he was a bit off along with his accuracy on a few passes. However he was his finest when focusing on JuJu Smith-Schuster, who’s again in Pittsburgh on a one-year deal after catching 97 balls for 9 touchdowns final 12 months. Count on these two to attach a bunch once more this season.
Steelers’ QB depth chart unchanged following Corridor of Fame Recreation
In the meantime, the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart was unchanged Sunday from the primary preseason recreation. Behind Roethlisberger, the rotation went Mason Rudolph, Dwayne Haskins, after which Josh Dobbs.
Haskins did problem defensive backs vertically extra Sunday than he did in Thursday’s checkdown-filled efficiency — together with a bomb down the left sideline that will have been a landing if Tony Brooks-James hadn’t dropped it. However Haskins additionally had some shaky moments, together with when he airmailed a operating again on a swing route.
WR James Washington seems buried on the depth chart
If huge receiver James Washington really does need out, it’s exhausting in charge him. He was working with the backups once more Sunday and appears buried deep on Mike Tomlin’s depth chart (and maybe doghouse).
Washington may solely watch as Smith-Schuster, Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, and even Anthony Johnson acquired first-team reps forward of him.
ESPN reported final week that Washington knowledgeable the Steelers he needs to be traded over enjoying time. Mike Tomlin on Friday disputed that report, saying Washington “has not” requested to be traded. That would technically be true if it have been Washington’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, who made the request.
However right here’s what’s indeniable: Washington could be justified in feeling frustration over his position. He’s caught not more than 44 passes in any of his three NFL seasons and was on the sector for simply 44 % of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps in 2020.
Steelers’ high three draft picks may all have an instantaneous influence
There’s an honest probability the Steelers’ top three draft picks all play vital roles. Najee Harris, the draft’s twenty fourth general choose, will in fact begin and will have over 400 touches from scrimmage.
Tight finish Pat Freiermuth, the Steelers’ second-round choose, appears to be within the workforce’s plans at tight finish in 2021, even with Eric Ebron and Zach Gentry within the combine.
And Kendrick Inexperienced, taken in Spherical 3, has a shot to win the middle job.
That’s all excellent news for a franchise that wants its younger gamers to step up after wage cap constraints restricted Pittsburgh’s aggressiveness this offseason. The Steelers trimmed greater than $30 million off the cap forward of free company. And but, they nonetheless needed to make some robust budgetary choices that might influence their efficiency this fall.
Devin Bush trending in the precise route
The Steelers are enjoying it protected with star linebacker Devin Bush, who tore his ACL 11 months ago. He did little or no Sunday, and it’s exhausting to see the Steelers subjecting him to the preseason over the following three weeks. However he’s trending in the precise route.
“[He’s] doing nice,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stated. “Working exhausting. Getting higher on a regular basis. Enthusiastic about getting him again on the grass.”
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