2025 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp: Latest intel, updates

Our NFL team reporters are on the ground each day following all the preseason action with every team. The Pittsburgh Steelers await their second preseason game Saturday, and Steelers reporter Brooke Pryor provides the latest intel on standouts, highlights, position battles, depth chart movement, cut decisions and, of course, the quarterback room.

We will update this file with the latest on Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the team. Who are the breakouts to watch, especially for fantasy football? And which players on the roster bubble could make the final 53?

Let’s get into it.

Camp updates for all 32 teams

Latest news from Steelers camp

Thursday, Aug. 14

For the first — and perhaps the only — time in the preseason, the Steelers’ first-team offense went against another team’s starting defense in Thursday’s joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the offense started off hot by winning the “seven shots” drill against the Bucs’ defense, 6-1.

“It was a great showing,” tight end Pat Freiermuth said. “I thought we built on that, as well throughout the rest of the practice and it was great to see the guys on the offense fired up and compete.”

Though the offense’s positive momentum carried through some of the team periods and one-on-ones, it ground to a halt in the practice-ending two-minute period.

The Steelers’ offense didn’t move the ball and failed to pick up a first down in the period, Freiermuth said. Wide receiver DK Metcalf said he dropped a pass on the second rep.

“Obviously we’ve got to be better,” Freiermuth said. “Obviously with the game on the line, the offense wants to go out there and capitalize. And obviously there’s going to be stuff that we need to figure out in that, but a lot of confidence. It’s earlier in the process, and so we watch film and get it down and figure out what we’re good at.”

Center Zach Frazier was also critical of his unit’s performance in the run game throughout the practice.

“We’re a little sloppy,” Frazier said. “I feel like we can definitely clean it up.”

More:

• The Steelers’ defense didn’t fare much better in their two-minute drill. Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans scored a touchdown with 4 seconds left to cap a drive that featured a 20-yard catch by Jalen McMillan and another tip drill catch by McMillan against Jalen Ramsey, Bucs wide receiver Emeka Egbuka said.

• Speaking of Ramsey, though both he and Tomlin said Ramsey would shadow Evans throughout the joint practice, Ramsey worked against several Bucs wide receivers, Egbuka confirmed. And, Egbuka added, the Steelers played more zone defense than man coverage.

• Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger brought his two sons to the joint practice, and he chatted with several Steelers including coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger: Two 40-something Super Bowl-winning QBs chatting it up at joint practice pic.twitter.com/IEuY6FcZ5j

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 14, 2025

Thursday, Aug. 7

With coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to rest most starters in Saturday’s opening preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, linebacker Payton Wilson will get his first in-game opportunity to quarterback the defense.

“If you have the green dot, you should know the defense like the back of your hand,” Wilson said of the sticker signifying he has the lone in-helmet headset. “You should have the confidence, you know that your coaches have the confidence in you, to just make the call — line up and still play the same speed.”

To prepare, Wilson relayed the defensive play calls throughout Thursday’s practice, while Patrick Queen got a vet day. A season ago, Queen played 100% of defensive snaps and wore the green dot throughout. There isn’t a limit to the number of helmets with headset communications for practice, so Wilson and Queen have traded off responsibilities throughout training camp.

“It’s a little more hectic in a game,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot less room for error in a game, but luckily out here, pretty much every linebacker has a mic in their helmet. Some days PQ [will say], ‘You take it this series or I’ll take it this series,’ and it’s just always in the mic. That’s how we communicate our calls. We try to make it as game-like as we possibly can. It helps a lot that we have it throughout the week.”

Cam Heyward isn’t dressed out for practice today as news spreads of his desire for a contract restructure. pic.twitter.com/PTJxMhIwOu

— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 7, 2025

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• Quarterback Skylar Thompson, who figures to get plenty of reps against Jacksonville with Will Howard‘s injury, led a successful two-minute drive to end Thursday’s practice. Thompson had a deep connection with wide receiver Roc Taylor that set up a four-yard Lew Nichols touchdown run on the next play. It marked the first time a two-minute drill finished in a touchdown all training camp.

• Defensive lineman Yahya Black continued to be a force at the line of scrimmage as he batted down multiple passes in Thursday’s practice. “You’re just throwing it up there hoping that you’re in the way,” Black said. “It comes with repetition.”

• The Steelers added veteran quarterback Logan Woodside, who spent time with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Tennessee, to the roster to help replace Howard. Woodside, 30, was at home in Kentucky with his family when he got the call. “[Smith] has evolved, and I’m confident in myself to get caught up to speed pretty quickly and excited for this opportunity,” Woodside said.

• WR Roman Wilson appeared to work with a trainer to stretch his hip flexor and groin multiple times throughout practice, but he didn’t miss any team reps. He continued to build chemistry with QB Aaron Rodgers and had a handful of catches.

• DL DeMarvin Leal received attention from an athletic trainer on his neck and shoulder area late in practice. His 2024 season ended prematurely with a neck injury that required surgery.

Wednesday, Aug. 6

For the second day in a row, an Aaron Rodgers–Roman Wilson connection helped fuel a strong day for the Steelers offense. Rodgers completed at least five passes to Wilson in Wednesday afternoon’s practice, and he showed off a strong rapport with his other receivers as well.

In the “seven shots” drill, Rodgers hit DK Metcalf for two touchdowns, including one that sealed a 4-3 win for the offense.

“I think we’ve been clicking the last three or four days much better,” Rodgers said before practice. “Our defense, obviously we added a lot of pieces to it. Always early in camp with the pads going, the defense seems to have the upper edge, and then the second week it starts to turn a little bit. So I felt like we’ve been playing better the last week and a half.”

Rodgers was especially complimentary of Wilson, who was part of the group that went out to Malibu for an offseason workout with the quarterback. Wilson missed most of his rookie season (including training camp) with injuries, making this his de facto redshirt rookie year.

“I just got to get Ro out of his head a little bit, because I think he’s such a good kid,” Rodgers said. “He cares so much about — whether it’s my approval or he’s doing it right and he’s just got to trust himself. He’s so damn talented. The more he can play free and not think out there, the better he is going to play. The more he can just trust what he’s got and then just go out and react, the better he is going to play.”

Rodgers and the offense had a bit of an upper hand though, because the Steelers mostly practiced without their starting secondary for the second day in a row. Jalen Ramsey rested for the second consecutive practice, and Darius Slay also took a vet day. Working back from an undisclosed injury, Joey Porter Jr. participated in some team periods, but the Steelers primarily leaned on Brandin Echols and James Pierre on the outside and Beanie Bishop Jr. at nickel.

More:

• Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed QB Will Howard sustained a broken finger on his throwing hand in Tuesday’s practice and is “week-to-week.” He’ll definitely be out for the preseason game against Jacksonville.

• The Steelers closed practice with another two-minute period, and for the second day in a row, Rodgers’ final pass was intercepted. This time Juan Thornhill picked it off in the middle of the field after the pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage. Mason Rudolph led the second unit, and the group capped the period with a Ben Sauls field goal.

Camp recap: Who has been your standout performer of camp?

Patrick Queen. A “100-percenter”, as he played every single defensive snap last season, Queen returned to the Steelers with a quiet fire to correct everything that went wrong in their season-ending slide. In his first training camp, Queen was often at the center of skirmishes, but he’s been relatively fight-free this camp. Instead, he’s making a statement in the middle of the field, beginning with an interception of Rodgers on the quarterback’s very first pass attempt in a team period. Queen is just one of a number of defensive guys who’ve turned heads in camp along with Ramsey, Yahya Black and Payton Wilson.

Camp recap: What is the biggest question to answer for your team in preseason games?

How will this offense perform against other defenses? This could be tough to tell if Rodgers doesn’t play — or is limited — in the preseason. While the offense looks to be turning a corner through 12 camp practices, it’s hard to tell if the struggles to get on the same page are a byproduct of going against an elite defense or if the issues have deeper roots. Discerning that from preseason games might be difficult, but it’s good exposure against unfamiliar defenses.

Tuesday, Aug. 5

Listed as a third-string wide receiver on the team’s initial unofficial depth chart, Roman Wilson‘s first 10 training camp practices have been largely forgettable. And some of his most memorable moments have been the ones he’d probably prefer to forget, including a handful of missed connections with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Tuesday, though, the 2024 third-round pick had his best practice of camp with three catches on passes thrown by Rodgers in team periods, including a sliding one in the back of the end zone for a score during Seven Shots.

“Just a little bit of a scramble drill,” Wilson said, describing the moment. “He threw a good ball, and I’m just trying to make a play.”

Prior to Tuesday’s practice, Wilson and Rodgers struggled to get on the same page, with several passes badly missing the wide receiver. After the incompletions, Rodgers talked with Wilson, gesturing and pointing as he appeared to correct the route. “I want him to want use me, and I want to be that guy,” said Wilson, who was sidelined most of his rookie season with injuries.

Wilson went on to catch two more balls from Rodgers on Tuesday, including one on a post route that went for a 20-yard gain in the third team period with cornerback Brandin Echols in coverage. Echols, though, got the last laugh during an impromptu two-minute period to end practice. Rodgers targeted Wilson over the middle on a third down, but Echols was in tight coverage and disrupted the throw, deflecting it into the hands of safety DeShon Elliott for the interception. At first glance, it appeared Echols might’ve interfered with the catch, but Wilson wasn’t looking for excuses.

“I might look at a film for that one,” Wilson said, asked if Echols got a hand on him. “I wish I would’ve made a better play.”

More:

• Wide receiver Calvin Austin III missed his third practice in a row with an undisclosed injury, and coach Mike Tomlin didn’t give an update on his status afterward.

• Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. returned to the field after missing three practices. Hhe was dressed out and in pads, but he didn’t participate in any team periods.

• Cornerback Jalen Ramsey wasn’t at practice Tuesday. Prior to this practice, he hasn’t been among the veterans taking a rest day.

• Quarterback Will Howard left practice early after sustaining an injury to his throwing hand and will be evaluated.

Sunday, Aug. 3

The Steelers open every practice with their signature goal-line Seven Shots period. Sunday afternoon, they closed with it, too. And of 14 snaps from the 2-yard line, the Steelers defense won 12 of them.

“That’s what we’re expected to do,” edge rusher Nick Herbig said. “We’re the Pittsburgh Steelers. We’re the Steel Curtain. We play great defense, and that’s a testament to the offense that they’re able to go against us all the time. So, it’s just iron-on-iron, and we make each other better every day.”

The lone offensive touchdowns came on a third-team score from running back Evan Hull in the first session and a lob from Aaron Rodgers to tight end Darnell Washington in the second.

The offensive inconsistency continued through the other team periods, when Rodgers connected with DK Metcalf for a 15-yard gain — though Alex Highsmith appeared to sack Rodgers — and again on an out route. But during 7-on-7, Rodgers twice missed Metcalf deep and failed to connect with wide receiver Roman Wilson, who appeared to run the wrong route.

While the offense is slow to gel, the Steelers defense is on an expedited trajectory. Linebacker Patrick Queen believes his unit is turning last year’s late-season slide into fuel for this camp.

“I think we’re farther ahead than last year, but still not where we need to be,” he said. “It’s an everyday grind, everyday battle that we got to come in and have the mindset to get better. … Everybody just understands what happened last year and don’t want to repeat that. It always starts at the top and sprinkles the way down. We’ve been getting great details on the assignments that we need to do, and right now, we’re executing.”

Not only did the defense stuff the run in the goal-line periods and create a coverage sack of Rodgers, but safety Sebastian Castro also nabbed a one-handed interception on a pass by quarterback Will Howard. Rookie Yahya Black also batted down a Rodgers play-action pass in a third-and-short period.

“I think it’s just like we’re finally coming into our own,” Herbig said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who play a lot of football on that defense, a lot of experience, so I think it’s about time for us to put on a show.”

More:

• Edge rusher Alex Highsmith felt a potential groin injury during one-on-ones in Sunday’s practice, coach Mike Tomlin said. Highsmith stopped after that and will be further evaluated. Tomlin said he hopes to have more details of the injury the next time he talks with the media Tuesday afternoon.

• LB Mark Robinson switched jerseys late in practice from a yellow defensive No. 93 to a white one, lining up at fullback for two reps in the team’s final goal-line period. A collegiate running back from 2017-19, Robinson was somewhat familiar with the role, but Tomlin downplayed the significance of Robinson’s dual-threat NFL audition. “I’m not going to make a big deal out of it,” the coach said. “I know it’s probably pretty interesting, but we just gave him a couple of snaps.”

• Not only did left guard Isaac Seumalo and left tackle Broderick Jones participate in Seven Shots for the second day in a row, but the pair also got some action on team periods. Both are working their way back after Jones’ soft-tissue injury and Seumalo’s stint on the non-football injury list.

• WR Calvin Austin III didn’t practice for a second day as he continues to deal with an undisclosed injury, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was held out of a third consecutive practice. Tight end Pat Freiermuth had a vet day off.

Saturday, Aug. 2

Tight end Darnell Washington isn’t offended by — or dismissive of — the suggestion that he could be an offensive tackle.

“I feel like I can, but right now I’m a tight end so I’m going to focus on that,” he said. “But later on down the road or any, anytime in a road, if they ask for me to do that, I’m going do it to my best ability. I’m going to do with lots of confidence. I feel like I can if I wanted to.”

Though he’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 264 pounds, Washington looks to be closer to left tackle Broderick Jones‘ size (6-5, 311) than tight end Pat Freiermuth (6-5, 258). And in the Friday Night Lights practice, he blocked more like a left tackle, too, winning reps against T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, DeMarvin Leal and Jack Sawyer.

“Blocking is just a second-nature thing that God gave me the ability to be a good blocker,” Washington said. “So just going those back-to-back reps with top-notch guys like Alex and Leal, at the end of the day, it’s the iron-on-iron component of the game, and they got me better and I’m getting them better. Even when I’m fatigued or whatever, I still got to next play, next play.”

With several offensive starters sitting out Saturday’s practice, Washington had an opportunity to showcase his pass-catching ability with an increased role in the offense.

“I don’t know how many human beings can run, and the way he does it, 300 pounds, 290, 299, it’s pretty impressive,” quarterback Mason Rudolph said with a smile. “He has huge hands, and he’s smart. He’s a total package.”

In “Seven Shots,” Washington caught a deep pass in the back of the end zone from Rudolph, who ran the first-team offense with Aaron Rodgers taking his first vet day. Later, he caught another deep pass from Will Howard in the first-team period and connected with the rookie two more times for a completion in an all-third-down-team period and a touchdown in 7-on-7.

“I feel like that was just the biggest question coming out the draft, everybody was just like, ‘Oh, he’s a blocking tight end,'” Washington said of his pass-catching ability. “But I never really had a chance to showcase my pass-catching or just me getting a ball. I feel like that’s just an area that I’m going to have to continue to improve in and keep playing it out here on the practice field so it shows up on the Sundays.”

More:

• Rodgers wasn’t the only player with a veteran rest day. DK Metcalf, Watt, and Cam Heyward were among those who had Saturday off. Several others, including DeShon Elliott, Joey Porter Jr., Calvin Austin III and Jonnu Smith, also didn’t practice, but coach Mike Tomlin characterized most injuries as “day-to-day.” The exceptions, though, are CB Cory Trice Jr. and OL Calvin Anderson, who both have soft tissue injuries and could be out “more than a few days.”

• Reserve CB James Pierre had two interceptions in one-on-ones within a handful of plays, first picking off Rudolph before snagging a Howard pass.

• Broderick Jones and Isaac Seumalo participated in seven shots, giving the offense its first complete starting O-line rep of the offseason/preseason. While Jones participated in some team periods beyond Seven Shots, Seumalo continued to watch from the side as he works back in following his activation off the non-football Injury list.

• A night after neither offensive unit scored in their two-minute drill, both Rudolph and Howard orchestrated scores in the practice-ending red zone period. Rudolph connected with Connor Heyward on a slant for the touchdown, and undrafted rookie RB Max Hurleman made a contested catch in the end zone to bring down Howard’s pass for the score.

• The crowd at Saturday’s practice was so large that fans had to park their cars on nearly every inch of available grass to fit everyone in.

Friday, Aug. 1

Aaron Rodgers was greeted by more than 13,000 screaming fans hailing from 36 states, four countries, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico at the Steelers’ annual Friday Night Lights practice.

Transported on yellow school busses to Latrobe Memorial Stadium for their second padded practice of camp, the Steelers worked for more than two hours in front of one of the largest crowds in the history of the practice.

“He was asking me today what to expect and all that, and I was like, ‘Dude, it’s literally going to play for a state championship out of high school. ‘And he was like, ‘All right, cool,'” tight end Pat Freiermuth said, recounting a pre-practice conversation with Rodgers. “And then he came and he was like, ‘This is awesome.’ So he loved it, and it was just great to be a part of that.”

Despite playing in front of an energetic crowd, the first team offense struggled throughout the practice. Rodgers’ unit was swept by the defense in Seven Shots and failed to complete a pass in the final two-minute period. The first team offense converted one first down in their first two-minute drive of camp, but it came on a defensive penalty.

Rodgers had two passes batted down, one by Alex Highsmith on first down and the second on third-and-long by Nick Herbig. He targeted Freiermuth, Jaylen Warren and DK Metcalf, but all three passes fell incomplete. Warren and Metcalf appeared to drop catchable passes, while the ball to Freiermuth was a little low. Still, the tight end isn’t discouraged by the state of the offense after eight practices.

“Obviously we didn’t execute how we wanted to, but we got to continue to build on that,” Freiermuth said. “It was our first two-minute all of camp and so obviously we wish it ended differently, but we’re working towards the end goal of week one and being able to execute. There’s going to be some ups and downs, and we’ll get it corrected.”

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• CB Joey Porter Jr. was in street clothes and didn’t participate in practice. Coach Mike Tomlin said he was “day-to-day” and will be “back out soon.”

• LT Broderick Jones worked with the first team in Seven Shots, but he didn’t do any additional team period work. G Isaac Seumalo was dressed in pads, but he only participated in individual drills.

• CB Cory Trice Jr. (soft tissue/hamstring) and OL Calvin Anderson (lower-body) each sustained injuries Friday night and are being evaluated.

• TE Darnell Washington dominated the physical backs-on-backers drill, beating every defensive player he was matched against including T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, DeMarvin Leal and Jack Sawyer.

• Speaking of backs-on-backers, the period got chippy when Kaleb Johnson and Mark Robinson squared off. The rookie beat the linebacker and a shoving scrum ensued. During the skirmish, running back Trey Sermon and Devin Harper started shoving each other, too. In two reps following the skirmish, Johnson beat Robinson, and Sermon beat Harper.

• Though Rodgers was a fan-favorite in the autograph line along the track that ringed the field, rookie quarterback Will Howard drew some of the biggest cheers for a deep, 40-yard connections with wide receiver Lance McCutcheon down the seam.

Thursday, July 31

With inclement weather in the forecast for Thursday afternoon, coach Mike Tomlin opted to move practice to 10 a.m. ET to avoid having a fourth training camp practice cut short by summer storms.

Even though Thursday’s practice was unpadded, tempers still flared between the defensive backs and pass catchers. That, wide receiver DK Metcalf said, was a byproduct of an offense motivated to have a strong day after a weak showing during their first padded practice a day earlier.

“Nobody likes to lose like that,” Metcalf said. “Nobody likes to get pushed around on the first day it passed, but we took it personal, cleaned up our technique stuff, some of our splits, and made an emphasis in the meeting room yesterday that we were going to come out here and try to ball.”

The first altercation came during a one-on-one routes drill when Jalen Ramsey beat Calvin Austin III by forcing him out. Ramsey was vocal in the victory, and wide receiver Roc Taylor took exception to Ramsey’s boasting. The two went toe-to-toe before Roman Wilson separated the pair. Then, later in the individual period, tight end Jonnu Smith went up against safety Juan Thornhill. Smith came down with the Mason Rudolph-thrown ball and spiked it at Thornhill’s feet. That set off a skirmish between the pair that Ramsey then broke up.

“I’d much rather say ‘whoa’ than ‘sic ’em’,” Tomlin said. “This is a football team we’re putting together, but it’s also an opportunity to learn how to compete and compete the right way and be professional.”

Later on during a team period, Metcalf caught a pass from Rodgers with Chuck Clark in coverage, and the two barked at each other after the play.

“It’s the nature of the game,” Clark said. “It’s a rough game. You put a bunch of personalities in the space and say, ‘Go be competitive, go be physical, stuff is gonna happen.”

A day after a practice full of missed connections, the offense looked smoother under Rodgers. Not only did he find Metcalf for a touchdown on a slant in Seven Shots, but the quarterback later found his No. 1 receiver during team periods on a deep crosser and on a first-down catch in a third-down team period.

“Everybody knows this is a new group,” Metcalf said. “We got new faces, new people on offense, still plugging pieces in, and nobody’s getting frustrated. We’re all trying to learn together, trying to work together, and it’s a steady stream of communication from the meeting room to out here on the field.

“That’s what I appreciate about not just Aaron, but this whole group. Everybody’s open to communication, open to criticism, and I think that’s going to take us far.”

More:

• G Isaac Seumalo was activated off the Non-Football Injury list and practiced for the first time Thursday. Though he participated in individual drills, he wasn’t in on team periods. Fellow starting lineman Broderick Jones also worked in individual drills but was held out of team periods for the second day in a row. Swing tackle candidate Dylan Cook took Jones’ first-team reps Thursday.

• The Steelers were down three defensive linemen who sustained injuries in Wednesday’s practice. In addition to Esezi Otomewo, Jacob Slade and Dean Lowry each sustained knee injuries and missed Thursday’s practice. Cameron Heyward also didn’t practice because he had a veterans day. With the line depth depleted, the Steelers kicked DeMarvin Leal inside to play defensive tackle.

• Second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson, who missed most of his first season with injuries, made a highlight-reel catch in one-on-ones. Rudolph underthrew him on a go route, but Wilson fought back through Joey Porter Jr. and snagged the pass after Porter tipped it. “He’s shown really good adaptability and position flexibility,” Tomlin said about Wilson. “We’re still very much early in the process, but I like some of the things I’ve seen from him.”

Wednesday, July 30

About an hour and a half before the Steelers took the field for their first padded practice, quarterback Aaron Rodgers admitted he hasn’t mastered his team’s offense yet but his goal, he said, was to have it down by the end of the week.

“I have a good feel for the offense, I’m not what I would call an expert of the offense yet,” Rodgers said. “I become an expert when you break the huddle and you can see the picture of your mind, and every now and then the picture’s a little fuzzy still.

“… I want to have it down by the end this week, but we’ll see.”

Things certainly looked a little fuzzy Wednesday afternoon as Rodgers and the first-team offense struggled. Not only did the defense dominate during team run periods with three tackles for loss in the first series, but Rodgers and his wide receivers weren’t on the same page throughout practice. The quarterback started off strong with a drill-deciding touchdown in Seven Shots, hitting DK Metcalf in the back corner on a crosser as the offensive line held up against pressure, but the rest of practice wasn’t as seamless.

Rodgers had just two completions through eight reps of the first two team periods, including one to Pat Freiermuth after he bobbled the snap from Zach Frazier. In the third team period, Metcalf appeared to be off on his route, causing a pass from Rodgers to fall incomplete. Two snaps later, Rodgers threw a high ball to Jonnu Smith that went off the tight end’s hands.

Coach Mike Tomlin, though, wasn’t concerned about the offense.

“Just still at the very early stages of development,” he said. “I appreciate the approach to learning and getting better and managing the installs.”

More:

• The first day of pads means the first day of backs-on-backers, one of Tomlin’s favorite and most physical drills. Running back Jaylen Warren met his match in linebacker Devin Harper as Harper appeared to win two reps in a row against the running back with a stellar run-blocking reputation. Warren, though, wasn’t discouraged. “They’re learning reps,” Warren said sheepishly.

• Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson, who was previously vocal about his desire to get in on the action in backs-on-backers, had a rough introduction to the drill. He lost all three reps against Malik Harrison, but won the final rep against fellow rookie Carson Bruener. Afterward, Johnson, Warren and running back Evan Hull worked on pass protection on a heavy bag. “The best thing about him is his attitude, and he ran to that fight,” Warren said of Johnson.

• Third-year cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was impressive in run defense Wednesday, swallowing up Warren on the first snap of the opening team period. Two snaps later, he did the same thing to Johnson. Then as the opening team period ended, Porter got into a skirmish with veteran wide receiver Robert Woods on the outside. That’s just part of camp, he said with a laugh afterward. “Everybody’s just trying to get after it,” Porter Jr. said. “It happens. We still teammates at the end of the day.”

• Wednesday marked the first time in pads in nearly a year for right tackle Troy Fautanu following a season-ending knee injury a year ago. Warren gave him props for opening up big holes throughout practice, but Fautanu was tougher on himself in his assessment of the day. “We’ve got to clean up a lot of stuff,” he said. “[I’ve] got to gain more confidence. It’s a lot different playing with pads, especially when things are live, people are flying around. Just try not to play timid and worry about this [knee]. It feels good. It’s just one of those mental blocks you got to get over.”

• Though left tackle Broderick Jones (lower body, soft tissue injury) was back on the practice field after dealing with injuries earlier in the week, he was only a partial participant. Veteran Calvin Anderson filled in for Jones at left tackle with the first-team offense.

• Defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo went down with a knee injury during Seven Shots and is being evaluated, Tomlin said.

Tuesday, July 29

The Steelers’ first day in pads was anticlimactic. Players were on the field for about 15 minutes going through a pre-practice walk-through when thunder claps sent the team up the hill for the locker room and fans back to their cars.

After about 30 minutes of waiting out the weather, the team shed their pads and moved practice to the gym, closing it to fans for the day.

“Didn’t get what we were looking for today, but such is life in football and life in general,” coach Mike Tomlin said.

Tuesday marked the third day that the Steelers’ training camp practice has been affected by afternoon thunderstorms. Friday and Sunday’s unpadded practices were each cut short because of inclement weather. Even so, Tomlin said he doesn’t anticipate varying the practice schedule start time to avoid weather interference.

“Not as I sit here today,” he said. “When we look back at the acclimation period, it’s just that. It’s the acclimation period and so today was really the first real day of work and we had to adjust and adapt today, but I’m not ready to make wholesale changes or even anticipation of making wholesale changes.”

More:

• LT Broderick Jones (lower-body, soft-tissue injury) wasn’t present during the walk-through before practice, but Tomlin said he anticipates Jones will be back out there Wednesday. Veteran Calvin Anderson took Jones’ place at left tackle during the walk-through.

• The Steelers have an open competition for kick returner following the release of Cordarrelle Patterson. Candidates for the job include Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, Kaleb Johnson and Roman Wilson, Tomlin said. The same isn’t the case for punt return, though. Tomlin said he likes Calvin Austin III to keep anchoring the position. Austin had 29 punt returns in 2024 and returned one for a touchdown.

Sunday, July 27

Left tackle Broderick Jones left practice early Sunday with what coach Mike Tomlin characterized as a “day-to-day” soft-tissue injury. After going through some individual drills, Jones, who spent his first two seasons at right tackle, left the field to have his right hip and upper thigh/groin area wrapped by Steelers medical staff. A day earlier, Jones was spotted getting his hamstring stretched out on the sideline between periods.

Jones initially missed the first rep of “Seven Shots” as he finished getting taped up, and veteran swing tackle Calvin Anderson took his place. Jones came in for the rest of the first-team reps in the drill, but he didn’t return when the team began its next team period later in practice. This time, Dylan Cook took his place. Previously, Cook worked with the second team at left tackle.

Tomlin, though, declined to give Cook the edge in the competition for the team’s top swing tackle.

“We’re just acclimating,” Tomlin said after practice. “Certainly he’s a veteran guy that’s been around and has served in that capacity before, but I’m not assuming anything at this juncture at this early stage of development regarding specific roles and specialization.”

Jones wasn’t the only injury sustained in the Steelers’ final unpadded, acclimation practice. WR Montana Lemonious-Craig also sustained a day-to-day soft-tissue injury, while FB/TE DJ Thomas-Jones sustained a “more significant” lower-body injury. He exited practice on a cart after having his left foot/ankle looked at by medical staff.

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• For the second time in this year’s training camp, the Steelers had to cut their practice short as severe weather threatened the area. Fans were cleared from the metal bleachers around 3:30 when lightning strikes were recorded less than six miles away. The Steelers stayed on the field for about 15 more minutes to get through a 7-on-7 period and four reps of their third team period. It was a fitting end to Sunday’s practice after the morning walkthrough ended with a downpour that sent players running up the hill to the locker room.

• Practicing in the late afternoon means working during the hottest part of the day, something that right tackle Troy Fautanu contributed to Saturday’s camp skirmish and likely added to Sunday’s scrum that started between offensive lineman Ryan McCollum and linebacker Cole Holcomb. “You could tell guys were a little bit more on edge yesterday, obviously with the heat,” Fautanu said before practice. “But I mean this is something that Coach Tomlin planned for. This is something he told us before we went on break to be prepared for. I was back home in Vegas, it was like 110 degrees every single day. So obviously it wasn’t that crazy, but the humidity is a lot different out here.”

• Newcomer Brandin Echols picked off Mason Rudolph in “Seven Shots,” adding to his — and the entire secondary’s — impressive start to camp. “That’s a veteran guy, man, that brings that energy every day,” Tomlin said. “And so he’s made some plays and is reasonable to expect that to continue.”

• Rookie defensive lineman Yahya Black was a force on the interior of the defensive line as he batted down two Rudolph pass attempts. “It’s is something that we really value culturally,” Tomlin said of the batted passes. “I think Cam [Heyward] probably led all interior defensive linemen in the league last year. [Keeanu] Benton was also very high. We work at it. [Black] has an aptitude for it.”

Saturday, July 26

Tight end Jonnu Smith is plenty familiar with Jalen Ramsey‘s lethal versatility since spending the 2024 season with the defensive back in Miami. But Saturday afternoon, Ramsey did something Smith has never experienced. After lining up outside, Ramsey moved to the interior of the secondary and then broke inside as quarterback Aaron Rodgers fired off a pass for Smith on a corner route. The defensive back leapt in front of Smith and nabbed the interception.

“Oh, that one,” Smith said shaking his head as he fielded a question about the interception. “Probably the first time. That was an amazing play by amazing player. Our job is to go back at him and compete and make him better as he’s making us better.”

With cornerback Darius Slay getting a vet day off, Ramsey spent his third practice as a Steeler lining up on the outside.

“We feel like he can cover anyone, to be quite honest with you,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “He’s a utility back and by that I mean he’s versatile. He plays outside, he plays nickel, he plays safety and that’s just a reflection of it. Very versatile and smart, detailed veteran.”

In the previous two days, Ramsey was primarily in the slot, but he took reps at safety, too.

“He’s a potential gold jacket,” safety DeShon Elliott said. “Him playing nickel, safety corner, dime, whatever it is, whatever you ask of him, he can do it.

“He’s extremely smart. Y’all know his physical intangibles. You see he had a pick today. He made it look easy, so I’m happy to have him here.”

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• Perhaps no one got a louder ovation than rookie sixth-round quarterback Will Howard. After eliciting a loud applause from the crowd when he entered with the fourth-string offense during a team period, he fired a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Montana Lemonious-Craig and sent the crowd into a frenzy. “I genuinely did not know that was for me,” Howard said. “I thought it was like Joey Porter did something on the sideline or Troy [Polamalu] or something. That’s cool.”

• Joey Porter Jr. shared his 25th birthday with his dad on Saturday as Joey Porter Sr. was announced to the Steelers’ 2025 Hall of Honor class. “To finally be in is exciting day for the Porter family and to get announced today is even more crazy: my son’s birthday and get to share that with him,” Porter Sr. said. “It was 25 years ago I left training camp because he was about to be born in California. So just like a full circle of just thinking about everything to where we’re at now.”

• Center Zach Frazier mishandled the snap on the first rep of Seven Shots for the second day in a row. This time, he was replaced by Ryan McCollum for the second rep of the drill before re-entering on the third. Tomlin, though, wasn’t concerned. “It’s not about the people that you mentioned,” he said referencing Frazier and Rodgers. “It’s about this time of year. It’s always the case. We’ll never like it. We’ll get through it. It’ll become something in our rear view mirror. It is not that really significant right now.”

• Along with Slay, T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward got veteran days off.

• While Smith fully participated in his first training camp practice, veteran running back and return man Cordarrelle Patterson was absent again. He was spotted on the field in a hoodie late in practice.

• The Steelers used the turf practice field at St. Vincent for individual periods and team stretch after rain soaked the grass fields overnight and early morning. They still used the field closest to the stands for all of its team periods.

• The high at practice Saturday afternoon checked in at 91 degrees. Several fans were treated for heat-related issues, and some players also dealt with heat-related fatigue and minor ailments. Linebacker Jeremiah Moon was carted off with a calf injury, Tomlin said.

Friday, July 25

A day after completing just one pass attempt to wide receiver DK Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers found his wide receiver in the end zone for a short touchdown on the second rep of the team’s short-yardage Seven Shots drill.

Asked about it afterward, coach Mike Tomlin broke into a wide grin.

“That’s what I anticipate,” Tomlin said slyly. “I’m not going to throw a pep rally. That’s what I expect. That’s what I envisioned all summer.”

It was a welcome sight after Rodgers’ connection with his suitemate faltered throughout the pair’s first practice, including Rodgers when targeted Metcalf in his first attempt during a team period and was intercepted by Patrick Queen.

Though Friday’s practice got off to an inauspicious start with a miscommunication on the snap from Zach Frazier and a resulting fumble on the first Seven Shots play, Rodgers bounced back with the touchdown throw to Metcalf. He tried to throw back to Metcalf on the other side for the next rep but couldn’t connect, with Joey Porter Jr. guarding the wide receiver. Rodgers came back in for the final rep of the period and found Pat Freiermuth in the flat to give the offense a 4-3 win in the first Seven Shots of camp.

Rodgers capped off his improved day by completing all four pass attempts in the first team period and later connected with Calvin Austin for a 25-yard deep completion between Juan Thornhill and Porter Jr.

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• The Steelers cut their second training camp practice short by about 25 minutes as a severe storm rolled into the area. Though players evacuated the field by hiking up the hill toward the locker rooms and gym at St. Vincent College, Tomlin initially planned to resume practice after the delay to simulate some of the unpredictability that happens during a game. The team ultimately cut it short, though, because the storm was moving too slowly and unpredictably.

• Following the trade that sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins in exchange for Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers safety corps was somewhat thin behind DeShon Elliott and Thornhill. The Steelers took a step to remedy that by signing veteran safety Chuck Clark on Friday. Clark, 30, was a four-season starter for the Ravens before tearing his ACL in 2023. He spent last season with the Jets and started 12 games.

• TE Jonnu Smith was very limited for the second day in a row. Tomlin labeled him and Cordarrelle Patterson as “day-to-day” with unspecified issues following Thursday’s practice. Patterson didn’t participate at all on Friday, while Smith caught a couple passes from the quarterbacks during an individual period before the team stretch. After stretching, though, he left the field and didn’t participate in the rest of practice.

• Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson ripped off a big run for the second day in a row. This time, he caught a short pass from Rodgers and took it down the field for a 20-30 yard gain.

Thursday, July 24

Aaron Rodgers had one request of his new Pittsburgh teammates: keep an open mind. Rodgers asked his teammates to get to know him without any preconceived notions before making any judgements. That’s exactly what rookie quarterback Will Howard did, and he said Thursday that he’s been impressed with the veteran.

“I didn’t really know what to expect from him,” Howard said. “And that was the biggest thing is when he came in he said, ‘Give me a clean slate, get to know me for me.’ And I wanted to do that. I didn’t want to come in with any expectations of who he was and just in getting to know him, he’s such a down to earth, good guy.

“He likes to joke around and have fun and mess with the younger guys, but also you can just tell that it’s pure and he loves the game. He wants to be here because he loves football.”

Wednesday, July 23

Aaron Rodgers wasn’t around during the Steelers’ move-in to Rooney Hall at St. Vincent College on Wednesday, but he reported to training camp as scheduled. Rodgers didn’t participate in team periods during minicamp as he got up to speed on the team’s offense, but that won’t be the case when the Steelers hold their first training camp practice Thursday, coach Mike Tomlin said.

“He’s a workaholic,” Tomlin said of managing Rodgers’ workload at training camp. “I don’t have a whole lot of reservations about that. I think he’s hardened himself over the course of his career with his attitude toward work. Certainly I’m going to limit him in some instances, but when I do, it’s going to be more about elevating opportunities for guys like Will Howard and less about preserving him to be quite honest with you.”