Following today’s practice in Latrobe, coach Mike Tomlin gave an update to the media on injuries and what he has seen thus far from his team.

Coach Tomlin addresses the media following our first practice in pads at #SteelersCamp. https://t.co/wto63uweHI — Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 30, 2017

The biggest news coming from today’s camp was that rookie and hometown kid James Conner suffered a shoulder injury. It has not been disclosed exactly how it happened our how significant the injury is, but he is said to still be undergoing evaluation.

Also listed were players Vince Williams, Mike Mitchell, Senquez Golson, and tight end Scott Orndoff. They were said to have suffered from fatigue and dehydration related issues.

However, Golson was seen earlier in the day being treated for something potentially other than a dehydration issue.

Eventually (after this tweet), Golson did leave practice. On a cart even. Tomlin downplayed it (dehydration?),however, for what that’s worth https://t.co/lqk4ZNsrsJ — Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) July 30, 2017

Before Conner’s injury, in Saturday’s practice without pads, he looked very good as you can see by the video below provided by Brian E. Roach (@CannonsDontThun). Conner was also matched up against Ryan Shazier in a backs versus backers drill earlier today.

In Tomlin’s presser he also noted that he excused Ben Roethlisberger early today. This gave rookie Josh Dobbs some extra reps and he failed to disappoint. Dobbs connected today with Conner during a “seven shots” goal line drill and has looked very confident under center.

Wide receiver Justin Hunter has looked very impressive so far in his ability to catch the ball at its highest point. While it may be too early to call him a red zone threat, if he continues to perform the way he has over the weekend, expect Hunter to fit into the slot and be put in goal line packages.

Juju Smith-Schuster has also been sidelined with an ankle injury after rolling it since the first day of practice. No updates have been given, but with it being so early in camp coaches will most likely stay cautious and keep him off the field until he looks comfortable.

Another story that has captured some attention is Artie Burns following Antonio Brown all over the field. Burns has been doing a great job in matching up against one of the league’s best wide outs. Brown has not only had very little room to breathe, but from most people’s perspective, Burns has out-dueled the receiver on almost every occasion.

Photo Credit: MATT SUNDAY / DKPS

The defense has been talking up a lot of game too. Defensive end Cam Heyward had this to say over the weekend: “There’s nothing to prove to anyone else but ourselves. We’ve set lofty goals and we want to hit them. But we’re not going to be measured by what anyone else says. The talking’s done. It’s time to get to work,” Heyward finished.

Stephon Tuitt, who plays opposite to Heyward had very similar sentiments on this defense saying: “I already said last year I think we can be a high-quality, dominant defense. We don’t give a flying crap about who we’re (playing against); we’re going to play physical defense. Five-star caliber defense.”

Of course this is the very beginning when all cylinders are well oiled. The true test will come week one when the Steelers open the season on the road in Cleveland.

Featured Photo Credit: Steelers.com

Like this: Like Loading...