The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their second week of training camp at Saint Vincent College, with the defense dominating in key drills and several players making notable contributions. The team completed six consecutive practices, three of which were in pads, as they prepared for their preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coach Mike Tomlin described the week as an important period for team development. “A really big day, kind of the culmination of a big week for us,” said Tomlin. “This second week of team development, you take significant steps in a lot of areas. Hopefully you’re minimizing some self-inflicted wounds, and you start to see some playmaking, not based on what others don’t do, but based on the quality of performance. And so we saw some signs of that. It’s been a good week. We brought the week to a close with some significant football, some short-yardage, some goal-line. Appreciate the efforts and energy. We’ll comb through the tape and just continue to work to get better.”
Tomlin also noted the benefit of having NFL officials present during practice sessions over the past three days: “We’ve been appreciative of the presence of the NFL officials here (the last 3 days). That’s also a component of Week 2, just playing clean, not only in terms of penalties, but pre-snap cleanliness on offense and respecting the neutral zone, etc., on defense. It’s the preseason for the officials as well. Their presence benefits us, but just from communicating with those guys they need the prep as well, and so we’re thankful for that partnership.”
In Sunday’s signature 7-Shots drill that opens competitive practice periods, defensive players prevailed with a 6-1 victory over their offensive counterparts. Quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Mason Rudolph were unable to complete any passes during their attempts; Will Howard contributed by handing off to running back Evan Huff for the offense’s lone score.
Rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer stood out during practice sessions. Drafted 123rd overall this year and expected to provide depth behind starters T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith while contributing on special teams coverage units, Sawyer made his presence felt both in individual matchups—particularly against tight end Darnell Washington—and in full-team periods by recording tackles-for-loss.
Defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal also performed well across multiple roles along both linebacker and line positions.
Veterans Watt and Cam Heyward dressed but saw limited participation Sunday; tight end Pat Freiermuth was given rest after a productive Saturday showing.
During short-yardage drills without Heyward participating fully, rookie Derrick Harmon joined third-year player Keeanu Benton as first-team defensive tackles—together stopping running back Jaylen Warren on an inside run attempt.
Goal-line situations closed out practice much like they began—with strong defensive showings over seven plays. Notably, inside linebacker Mark Robinson switched jerseys mid-drill to line up at fullback offensively—a nod to his collegiate experience at running back.
“He played running back in college,” said Tomlin about Robinson. “Those of you who are familiar with his resume, it’s not a completely foreign act. We just wanted to give him a shot at it and see what it looked like. Maybe we’ll do some more in the future with him. Maybe we’ll do some more with some others. The more versatile you are, it adds to your cause and it adds to ours.”
Despite Robinson’s involvement as lead blocker early in goal-line reps, defenders including Payton Wilson and Benton stopped scoring attempts at or near scrimmage; Chuck Clark broke up a pass play while rookie Sebastian Castro capped off practice by making an open-field tackle.
Tomlin provided an injury update following practice: “Some bumps and bruises associated with play, but we had a lot of guys getting back to action today, particularly in the offensive line. Some of those guys were full participants who have been partial participants, which is good as we lean in on next week and get ready to step into a stadium … The only new injury to mention — Alex Highsmith didn’t finish. Don’t know the severity of it. In the one-on-one pass rush period he stopped. He said maybe he felt his groin. But we’ll evaluate it, and I’ll be more definitive next time we talk not only about the injury but its significance.”
The Steelers will have Monday off before returning for three more practices ahead of their trip south for Saturday’s preseason game against Jacksonville.
