Coaches: Not aware of WR trade request
Tomlin, Canada say Washington has a key role
In the Steelers wide receiver group, four were high draft picks, three have been highly productive and two will be free agents after this season. That’s a recipe for a souffle of can you keep everyone happy?
The Steelers already are having issues in that regard. Or they aren’t, depending on whom you believe. Friday, ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter said that fourthstring wideout James Washington requested a trade because of a lack of playing time last season.
Saturday, Washington was not made available to reporters, but he was at practice and made a leaping catch over cornerback Justin Layne for a touchdown from Mason Rudolph in an early goal-line drill. Head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Matt Canada shot down distractions on his behalf.
“He has not,” Tomlin said after practice when asked if Washington has expressed any dissatisfaction or requested a trade. “Those unnamed sources, we don’t react to or respond to. James has been great here, working, and having a good camp.”
Canada, the play-caller with a bevy of pass-catchers and only one ball, didn’t specifically address the speculation but answered as if he was aware of it’s swirling.
“James Washington’s awesome. He comes to work every day, he’s a good guy to be around. Hasn’t said a word to me,” Canada said. “Just plays hard every day and practices hard every day. I’m a huge fan of James. I really am.”
Washington has “a good role” in the offense, according to Canada, who added that the Steelers are “really talented” at his position.
“Certain games, there are different matchups,” Canada said. “Certain things happen, but James is a big part of what we do. He’ll continue to have a role.”
Those are fairly firm denials from Tomlin and Canada, but let’s keep in mind there are plenty of avenues for a player or his agent to explore a trade. There are members of the Steelers front office who don’t give interviews after each practice, and even then, they certainly aren’t obligated to admit that they have a disgruntled member of the team.
Tuitt’s absence
Much like T.J. Watt has been slow to join his defensive teammates in live action, so has star defensive end Stephon Tuitt. While Watt’s participation, is tied to his contract status, Tuitt’s seems to be something else.
There was no sign of him at practice Saturday, and afterward, defensive coordinator Keith Butler indicated that Tuitt is home in Georgia with his family. One of Tuitt’s younger brothers was struck by a car and killed in early June, and
Tuitt was excused by Tomlin for the team’s mandatory minicamp later that month. Richard Bartlett, who was 23, was with his girlfriend and mother at the time of the hit-and-run.
“You know what happened to him, with his mom and all that stuff,” Butler said of Tuitt. “Think if your mom saw her son get killed in front of her eyes. What kind of mess is that? I don’t know how you deal with that. He’s trying to deal with that, and he wants to make sure his mom’s OK. And you know what? My mom’s before everyone else, too. I don’t blame him. I don’t blame him at all.”
Speaking of him …
It’s not an unusual sight to see Minkah Fitzpatrick come down with an interception, but apparently, there’s still more to his game. At least that’s what he’s telling Butler, who might not be running the defense for long if Fitzpatrick gets his way.
“I expect a lot of him. He’s a coach on the daggum field,” Butler said of the safety. “He knows a lot about football. The only thing he daggum pisses me off a little bit about is, ‘Let me call the plays! Let me call the plays!’ I don’t blame him. I want him to, too.”
Butler chuckled, knowing that’s a good problem to have: A defensive leader who’s so locked in that he wants to be player-coach.
Injury report
Tight ends Eric Ebron and Pat Freiermuth were back at practice Saturday, with Ebron returning from an elbow issue and Freiermuth from a hit to his left shoulder that knocked him out of the previous practice Tuesday. Freiermuth didn’t play in the Hallof Fame Game.
The Steelers also got live action from both of their starting tackles for the first time, with Chukwuma Okorafor slotting in at left tackle and Zach Banner at right tackle in 11-on-11 drills.