Day three of training camp is in the books now for the Pittsburgh Steelers after two practices on Friday. This post will serve as your daily recap. Here are the running updates from Friday.
The big news of course came after practice ended when it was announced that the Steelers gave wide receiver Antonio Brown a five year, $42.5 million extension that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2017 season. You read the breakdown of the contract here and how it impacts cap space and Mike Wallace here.
As far as practice went today, we will start with injured as tight end Heath Miller (knee) and nose tackle Alameda Ta\’amu (foot) both remained sidelined. The injuries are not considered serious and they should be considered day-to-day right now. The only new injury to report is to punter Jeremy Kapinos (back), who had his back tighten up on him. Speculation is that he could be out a few days. I would say Tuesday is the next time you will likely see him.
James Harrison (knee), Jason Worilds (wrist), Rashard Mendenhall (knee), Casey Hampton (knee), Max Starks (knee) and Damon Cromartie-Smith (shoulder) all remain on the Active PUP list.
With Harrison and Worilds sidelined, Chris Carter continued to get first team reps at the right outside linebacker spot. Mark Kaboly reported today that Brandon Johnson is indeed working at left outside linebacker behind LaMarr Woodley, so that clears up any mystery about him now. Kade Weston was the backup nose tackle behind Steve McLendon with both Hampton and Ta\’amu sidelined.
Cornerback Keenan Lewis continues to get first team reps opposite Ike Taylor with Cortez Allen playing in the slot. I saw Twitter reports that claimed both Taylor and Allen had a good days, but Allen did drop an easy interception. This is not say that Lewis had a bad day, he was just not noted by any of the media.
Both Emmanuel Sanders and Baron Batch appeared to look healthy according to a few reports. Keep in mind the team will not put the pads on until Saturday.
Marquis Maze was noted as making a few nice catches today, while Toney Clemons was noted as having a few drops.
Tomlin said after practice that Jonathan Dwyer is in better shape than he has been in the past and left it at that.
The offensive left to right was once again Trai Essex, Willie Colon, Maurkice Pouncey, Ramon Foster and Marcus Gilbert. Both Mike Adams and David DeCastro were once again rotated in with the first team. Kelvin Beachum also apparently got some work at one of the tackle positions despite being kicked inside to guard this offseason.
Sanders, Brown, Jerricho Cotchery and Chris Rainey were noted as players fielding punts today. Punter Drew Butler apparently got off to rough start today, but did boom a few long ones. He was noted as being inconsistent.
Reports from media state there is a solid effort to get ball to the running backs out of the backfield via the passing game and also out of the hand of Ben Roethlisberger quickly in the passing game. Kaboly noted both specifically after practice today.
Safety Ryan Mundy stated in a radio interview that he has put on a few pounds this offseason, while Isaac Redman claims he put himself on a strict diet this offseason. Redman also said that the backs will not be having to chip as much this year so that they can get out into routes quicker. He added that the tackles will know this year when they are getting chip help as opposed to last year when they didn\’t.
Weslye Saunders is still awaiting word on his appeal of his four game suspension for testing positive for Adderall. Dan Rooney is also back in town and watched practice today.
Jimmy Haslam, a member of the Steelers ownership group, is considering purchasing the Cleveland Browns from owner Randy Lerner. Haslam of course would have to divest his interest in the Steelers.
