A number of Pittsburgh Steelers starters will not participate in the team’s second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. This approach mirrors last week’s strategy, when several key players sat out during the first preseason matchup against Jacksonville.
Head coach Mike Tomlin explained before a joint practice with Tampa Bay at Acrisure Stadium that this game is another chance for less experienced players to improve. “Opportunity to take a step forward,” Tomlin said. “Particularly those who are in their first NFL experience, man, it’s reasonable to expect those guys to make a dramatic step between first experience and second experience.
“Guys like (rookie running back) Kaleb Johnson and others, man, we expect to really take a step and show growth, and more importantly let their talent show.”
Tomlin confirmed that the same group of players who did not play last week will also be held out this time. He listed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Jaylen Warren, tight ends Jonnu Smith and Pat Freiermuth, guard Isaac Seumalo, outside linebackers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, as well as cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr., Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay.
Last week’s “Did Not Play” list included 23 names; some were absent due to short-term injuries or missed practices. Players still dealing with such issues may have an opportunity to participate if they are cleared in time. “I don’t want to exclude anyone at this juncture,” Tomlin said. “We’ll make those decisions at the 11th hour.”
Kaleb Johnson carried eight times for 20 yards in the Steelers’ 31-25 win over Jacksonville. He also had one catch for six yards but dropped another pass and missed an assignment that led to a sack. Tomlin commented on his performance: “I just want to see him trust himself more,” he emphasized. “I want see him play more instinctually, trust his talents.
“And that’s reasonable to expect between the first experience and the second experience.”
Wide receiver Roman Wilson made two catches for 24 yards against Jacksonville in what was effectively his first preseason action after missing most of his rookie year due to injury. His status remains as a first-year pro because of limited playing time last season.
“I like the trajectory of it,” Tomlin assessed regarding Wilson’s preseason performance. “He’s made plays when called upon. Hard working and available day in and day out. He brings a good, can-do attitude.
“He’s an example of a second-year guy that, although he didn’t have a lot of playing experience from last year it’s his second year in the program and it should show and it has.”
The team will need to trim its roster from 90 players down to 53 by August 26 at 4 p.m., according to NFL rules (https://operations.nfl.com/gameday/roster-management/roster-cuts). Tomlin acknowledged that there will be difficult choices ahead due to strong competition among players but said no final decisions have been made yet.
“When you get a good 90 together you got a chance put together a good 53,” Tomlin said. “And there’s no question that this is a good 90. It’s been highly competitive. I’ve seen growth and development, particularly in a lot of the younger and newer guys to us and to the league. It’s certainly going to be some tough decisions, but it’s their job to make it tough decisions, and they’ve done it. But I also acknowledge we have a lot of ball in front of us between now and then.
“The cutdowns have changed over the 19 years that I’ve been here in terms of the decisions that you have to make and when and how many. Haven’t even begun to look at it from that perspective because we have a lot of quality days between now and those decisions.”
