LATROBE –
For a team that isn’t having any live tackling in training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly walked a very fine line today.It was easily the most physical practice of camp, where we really gained some serious insight into the Steelers’ running game and how it could take shape over the course of the season. From rookie first rounder Max Iheanachor showing out, inside linebackers stepping up, and a wide receiver continuing to put together a strong start to camp, here is everything you
need to know from day 6 of training camp.
Max Iheanchor puts on a show
The Steelers’ rookie first-rounder will very likely begin the season as a backup, but today showed exactly why the Steelers see a future with him. Iheanachor’s best play of the day came during 11-on-11’s on a toss play to Kaleb Johnson. Iheanachor won his rep and created a lane for the second-year back to pick up nearly 20 yards before being touched. Iheanachor also held his own, at the very least, in one on one blocking drills against each of the Steelers’ three best pass rushers in T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig. It was by all accounts the best camp practice so far for the rookie who is showing serious promise already.
Running backs finally get a chance to shine
The practice felt much more physical in large part due to the fact that the Steelers were clearly emphasizing the run game today. It was still Rico Dowdle and Jaylen Warren leading the way with the first team. It’s still hard to decipher what exactly the plan is with the RB3 role. The Steelers have thrown Kaleb Johnson, Eli Heidenreich, and even Lew Nichols into those reps pretty evenly throughout camp thus far. Today, Kaleb Johnson had the best single run of any of the aforementioned backs. Ultimately, the Steelers will have some tough decisions to make in the running back room, but fans should feel more than confident in what the duo or Warren and Dowdle can accomplish.
Roman Wilson continues to impress
Wilson has consistently been running with the first team offense throughout camp, and he has made the most of those opportunities. Wilson beat Jamel Dean on a dig route for a wide open touchdown in red zone drills on a pass from Aaron Rodgers. That wouldn’t be the only time Rodgers found Wilson in the end zone, as the two connected on a slant route to end practice with a touchdown for the offense during their two-minute drill opportunity. Wilson continues to be one of Rodgers’ favorite targets in Latrobe.
Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb made impact plays
While the running backs had their moment to shine today, so did the inside linebackers. While the offense was trying out run plays with all different running backs, Payton Wilson and Cole Holcomb seemed to always be in the backfield making plays. Wilson in particular saved what would have been a big gain for Jaylen Warren on one particular rep as he got in the backfield in a hurry. If Wilson and Holcomb improve at playing downhill, the Pittsburgh run defense could look a lot better than it did last season.
Other notes
- It was a mixed bag from Jamel Dean today. Dean was beat by Roman Wilson and DK Metcalf for touchdowns on consecutive plays during red zone drills. He then ended his day with a diving pass breakup on a pass intended for Wilson during two-minute drills.
- Jaquan Brisker dropped what should have been an interception on a tipped ball over the middle during two-minute drills. This marks the second consecutive practice that Brisker has almost come down with a splash play.
- The jet sweep is back. Kaden Wetjen took a jet sweep from Will Howard during practice and gained about 10 yards, which got a big reaction from the crowd.
- Ben Skrownek got involved as a receiver, catching a touchdown from Mason Rudolph in red zone drills.
- Kaden Wetjen and Eli Heidenreich lined up as first-team kickoff returners, while Roman Wilson and Kaleb Johnson lined up as second-team returners.
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