Few starters likely to play in exhibition
Rookie QB Dobbs excited to start against Giants
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown will not play in Friday night’s preseason opener against the New York Giants, and a slew of other starters likely will not play, either.
A number of key players have been nagged by injuries and held out of practice this week, including All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey (leg), tackle Alejandro Villanueva (concussion symptons), linebackers Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, cornerback Artie Burns and safety Mike Mitchell. It is unlikely any of them will play against the Giants.
“Our approach is going to be simple — those that are healthy will play,” coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday at an early afternoon news conference. “The guys who have missed time, there’s no need to declare them as out. We’re going to give everyone an opportunity to regain some level of health.”
Another player who is out is backup quarterback Landry Jones (abdominal), who has been bothered with the injury for more than a week. His absence means rookie Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback against the Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.
“It still means a lot,” Dobbs, a fourth-round draft choice from Tennessee, said after practice Wednesday. “You’re getting a lot of snaps with our 1-offense against their 1-defense. It will be great to go out and get that experience, get those reps.”
Then he added: “It always means a lot when you start, whether it’s a preseason game or a Super Bowl. As a competitor, that’s just the position you expect to be in, and you want to play ata high level as well.”
Asked what he has seen from Dobbs that he likes, Tomlin said: “He’s a brighteyed, willing worker. He appears to learn from his mistakes, I think that’s good, but he also appears to learn from the mistakes of others, andthat’s doubly good.
“At that position, you’re defined by how you perform under certain circumstances. I’m just interested in his game-day demeanor, not only with his fellow players but coaches as well.”
Tomlin: Get back on field
The Steelers have been thin at cornerback with injuries to Burns, rookie third-round pick Cam Sutton (lower body) and former No. 2 pick Senquez Golson (hamstring). Veteran Coty Sensabaugh, acquired in free agency, has been working with the first-team defense, and rookie Brian Allen and first-year free agent Mike Hilton have been getting a lot of reps.
Tomlin said several times that “one player’s misfortune is another player’s opportunity.” He dismissed the notion he’s being cautious with a lot of players, particularly the starters, and suggested that some players need to get back to practice.
“There’s urgency; I’m not going to pretend like there’s not urgency,” he said. “I’ll just say this, there’s big-time urgency. We need guys on the field. Guys need to get on the field. There’s value in practice.”
A fan of preseason
The discussion of fewer preseason games was broached again this week, this time by commissioner Roger Goodell, who said he would like to reduce the number of games to three and eventually to two.
Tomlin, who said he understands the rationale, isn’t in favor of the reduction.
“I like the preseason personally,” Tomlin said. “It aids in the development of young players, particularly at the quarterback position, having a rookie quarterback, but also having an obligation to get guys like Ben ready. I like what four games provides us from that perspective. I understand the discussion, I understand why a lot of us are delving into that discussion. But that’s just my personal opinion.”
Harrison scarce
James Harrison, of course, is another player who will not appear against the Giants, mainly because he has made just a brief cameo appearance at trainingcamp.
Harrison, 39, took part in some one-on-one drills Sundaynight at Heinz Field, the first time he has done anything with his teammates since training camp began.
Tomlin said the Steelers are trying to preserve Harrison, who is in his 16th NFL training camp, but also using the occasion to get a long look at No. 1 pick T.J. Watt.
“James is at the point of his career where he doesn’t require a bunch of physical reps to be game-ready,” Tomlin said. “Rest assured, he’ll be getting on the move and training at some point.”
Quick hits
Dupree returned to practice, then injured his right ankle and did not return. The injury did not appear to be serious. … Former Pitt RB James Conner was in pads, but aside from a few individual drills he did not participate in practice. It is unlikely he will play against the Giants. … WR Justin Hunter missed practice for the second day in a row, making his availability unlikely as well. Secondyear tackle Jerald Hawkins returned to practice after being excused on Tuesday.