Pittsburgh Review

DETROIT - Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed a desire earlier this week to use the team's preseason finale against the Lions at Ford Field as a dress rehearsal for his first-team units and an opportunity for other players to secure roster spots.

The first-team offense quickly moved 60 yards in five plays for a touchdown, while the first-team defense produced sacks on three consecutive plays, culminating in a strip-sack. Tomlin then pulled both groups in a 24-17 loss to the Lions.

"We didn't get the job done, but we did get a lot of things accomplished that we wanted to get accomplished," said Tomlin. "We wanted to get our starters in state and rhythm that was kind of reflective of some of the things that we've seen in practice. And so we were able to do that."

With cutdown day approaching—NFL teams have until 4 p.m. Tuesday to trim their rosters to 53 players—the game served as one last chance for players on the bubble.

The Steelers finished the preseason 0-3. Tomlin was likely not pleased with some down-the-roster performances, as they were outscored 24-3 over the final three quarters.

Tomlin gave veteran Russell Wilson the start. Wilson completed both passes for 26 yards, both to George Pickens, before exiting with a 7-0 lead. Veteran Cordarrelle Patterson capped off with a 31-yard touchdown run.

"We just needed results that are indicative of how we worked," Tomlin said about his starting offense's short series. "And so they were able to put together a scoring drive and really just provide an opportunity to get Justin (Fields) in there sooner."

Defensively, Nick Herbig started alongside DeMarvin Leal at outside linebacker, replacing T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Herbig recorded two sacks around one by Larry Ogunjobi and forced Detroit's Hendon Hooker to fumble on his second sack. Defensive lineman Dean Lowry recovered at Detroit's 35-yard line.

"That was a little something I learned from T.J.," said Herbig regarding his duck-under move used against right tackle Colby Sorsdal for the sack.

Justin Fields connected with tight end MyCole Pruitt on a 22-yard gain setting up La'Mical Perrine’s 1-yard touchdown run for a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Fields completed three out of four passes for 40 yards and ran twice for four yards but was sacked twice due to apparent miscommunication with rookie center Zach Frazier.

Tomlin remained satisfied with his top quarterbacks' performance: "They both moved the ball...and we put them all in the end zone."

Detroit tied it up in the second quarter as backup Hendon Hooker led a scoring drive ending with a TD pass to Jake Funk and capitalized on another turnover leading into halftime.

In response, Matthew Wright's field goal gave Pittsburgh back its lead temporarily before Detroit sealed their win late in regulation time through consistent offensive pressure driven by Hooker’s mobility.

Rookie defensive back Ryan Watts sustained an injury towards game's end but walked off after medical evaluation; he reportedly suffered only minor stinger according To Coach Tomlin’s post-game comments.