Pittsburgh Review

LATROBE, Pa. – Tuesday, July 30 marked the first day players wore pads during the 2024 training camp for the Pittsburgh Steelers at Saint Vincent College. Despite earlier weather concerns, practice proceeded on schedule as storms cleared in time.

"I'll take it however it comes as long as it's not lightning because we get an opportunity to work," said Coach Mike Tomlin. "If it was raining today, then it's ball searching and ball security as an emphasis. We're an outdoor sport. We play in a lot of circumstances, and I'm open to all of that during team development."

Tomlin described the session as featuring "a lot of spirited work." He highlighted the backs-on-backers drill, noting its importance in assessing offensive players' mentality and technique without warm-up opportunities.

Leading the offense were tight end Darnell Washington and running back Jaylen Warren. Both performed well in drills designed to test quarterback protection skills. Washington's performance was particularly notable; he successfully blocked defensive players and made a significant catch from Justin Fields.

On defense, standout performances included Jeremiah Moon, a second-year outside linebacker acquired from the Baltimore Ravens.

"You know, if there's a winner, somebody's got to be a loser," Tomlin remarked about the drill's competitive nature. "I'm sure that the next time we do the drill, the rushers will represent themselves well in a bounce-back."

The session also featured competitions between offensive and defensive linemen and receivers against defensive backs. Notably, veteran T.J. Watt outmaneuvered rookie Troy Fautanu with ease while Montravius Adams overpowered Zach Frazier.

"They've come here in really good shape and ready for work," Tomlin said about young offensive linemen Fautanu and Frazier. "They're tireless workers... We'll just keep rolling the ball out and getting a look at them."

Tomlin emphasized consistency: "It will be the guys who string solid performances together who will keep themselves in the mix for a roster spot."

Reflecting on practice overall, Tomlin stated: "This tape is gold from a teaching and learning perspective... We just keep pushing forward."

Tomlin provided updates on player injuries: Roman Wilson injured his ankle; Russell Wilson returned to limited action; Rodney Williams remains out with a shoulder injury.

In 7-shots drills, Roman Wilson was injured after being tackled by cornerback Anthony Averett on a jet-sweep play that tied the score at 3-3. The offense won when Fields scored on a play-action run.