THURSDAY’S GAMES: WHAT TO WATCH
What to look for around the league:
STEELERS’ YOUNG QBS GETTING A CHANCE
The Steelers are giving young quarterbacks Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph an extended look against the Packers. Ben Roethlisberger and primary backup Landry Jones get the night off in Green Bay. Roethlisberger is in the concussion protocol. Right guard Marcus Gilbert said Tuesday that Roethlisberger rolled out and ran into him as he blocked linebacker Keion Adams. Dobbs is likely auditioning for another job elsewhere while figuring to be the odd man out in the four-man race for three spots. Dobbs played well last week against the Eagles, leading a two-minute drill that resulted in a touchdown at the end of the first half. He’ll get an opportunity to face Green Bay’s starting defense, which should provide a significant step up in class. Rudolph, a third-round pick in the 2018 draft, looked solid at times while playing the entire second half against the Eagles. His goal will be holding onto the ball. He lost a fumble that was recovered by a teammate in his pro debut but also led the Steelers to three scoring drives. The game is also a homecoming of sorts for Pittsburgh safety Morgan Burnett. The Steelers signed the veteran in the offseason after eight years in Green Bay to shore up a revamped secondary. Burnett’s first camp in Pittsburgh has been uneven because of a hamstring injury that forced him to wait to put on the pads. He’s slotted as the starting strong safety and the Steelers are hopeful his sure tackling will help a unit that struggled making plays in the open field last season.
RODGERS RETURNS?
Aaron Rodgers is expected to get the start and see his first action in a preseason game. In fact, it will be the first time that the two-time NFL MVP will play in any game at home since Sept. 28 against the Chicago Bears. He broke his collarbone on Oct. 15 at Minnesota, and his only appearance after that was on Dec. 17 at Carolina. Whether or how much Rodgers goes against the Steelers may depend on the availability of dependable left tackle David Bakhtiari, who came back to practice this week following an ankle injury. “I haven’t played at home for a long time,” Rodgers said. “So, it will be nice to get out on Lambeau.”
WASHINGTON LOOKS TO GROUND GAME
Alex Smith is expected to start for the Redskins after sitting out the exhibition opener at the Patriots. But the focus will be on the running game, where Washington has to find a starter among Rob Kelley, Samaje Perine and others to replace the injured Derrius Guice. Kelley is the front-runner and should get the first carries.