Pittsburgh Review

LATROBE, Pa. – The Steelers signed Cordarrelle Patterson in late March in response to the NFL's new kickoff rules being implemented on a one-year trial basis, and on Monday at Saint Vincent College they saw him practice in pads for the first time.

Patterson's debut was delayed because he reported to training camp with a hamstring injury and was placed on the non-football injury list. With Patterson finally in pads, the Steelers quickly integrated him into practice.

During the first snap of 7-Shots, which was the first competitive period of the day's practice, Patterson lined up as a receiver, took a handoff from Russell Wilson, and scored a touchdown on a reverse play.

Coach Mike Tomlin commented on Patterson's performance: "This is not his first rodeo," said Tomlin. "He's been around a couple blocks and back, so I don't think any of us are surprised he's capable and can swim in these waters."

On another play during the same drill, Patterson lined up in the backfield and took a straight handoff over right guard but was stopped short of the goal line. The 7-Shots drill concluded with George Pickens scoring on another reverse play, giving the offense a 4-3 win.

"We had another really strong day today of Steelers vs. Steelers," said Tomlin. "I thought there was really good intensity in our tackle periods, 7-Shots and team run. We had overkill today relative to possession-down football. We didn't perform well last Friday night on third downs on either side of the ball, and so we had an overreaction, a thoughtful overreaction. We drowned ourselves in possession-down football today. Three of our periods were every down is third down just to kind of take advantage of this atmosphere and the last week that we have up here. Those possession downs are significant. We're just thoughtful about how we finish up here in terms of some of the things that we emphasize in an effort to capture the last of what this environment provides us."

The Steelers are off Tuesday and will have their final practice on campus at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. A joint practice with Buffalo is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Acrisure Stadium; it will be closed to the public.

NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS

• During a special teams period devoted to punting, third-year defensive back Thomas Graham Jr. caught a punt over his shoulder inside the 5-yard line while Cameron Johnston launched a 70-yard punt landing less than two yards from the right sideline.

• A Kyle Allen pass deflected by Beanie Bishop Jr., was intercepted by CB Kyler McMichael. Bishop and Grayland Arnold saw significant action at nickel back.

• Joey Porter Jr.'s tight trail coverage caused an incompletion intended for Van Jefferson; Cory Trice Jr.'s defense forced another incompletion; Jefferson made one deep post pattern catch from Justin Fields for significant yardage.

TOMLIN'S INJURY UPDATE

"We've got guys with training camp-like bumps and bruises," said Tomlin. "Some guys were given a day off... Safety DeShon Elliott... CB Donte Jackson... But you guys know, we focus less on those who we're minimizing... more as an opportunity for some ascending guys to get not only more reps but more competitive reps against experienced competition." Troy Fautanu attended practice wearing a knee brace after spraining his knee against Houston last Friday night; he has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus Buffalo.