The Pittsburgh Steelers put the wraps on their 48th annual training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe on Saturday with a practice in helmet and shorts. According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, rookie running back Le\’Veon Bell participated for a second straight day.
Being that both Bell and Isaac Redman, who suffered a stinger Thursday, are currently working their way back towards fully participating, head coach Mike Tomlin was asked during his Saturday morning press conference what his plans are for the Monday night preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
“The depth chart displays our intentions in regards to that,” said Tomlin. “Obviously we had a few men that sustained some minor injuries this week. We\’ll take it day-by-day, if those guys are available to play, then the depth chart will display our intended repetitions, but if they aren\’t, well make adjustments.”
Should both Bell and Redman wind up sitting out Monday night it would likely result in Jonathan Dwyer getting the start along with LaRod Stephens-Howling and Tomlin was asked to give his thoughts on Dwyer prior to the final practice at Latrobe getting underway.
“He came in in-shape and ready to go and has done some good things and had his moments,” said Tomlin. “He\’s a guy that\’s pushing to play and not taking a backseat to anyone. I like that about his demeanor, but were only one out of four games into this thing, so he\’ll get plenty of opportunities to strengthen his case.”
In the first preseason game last Saturday night against the New York Giants, Dwyer carried the ball six times for 15 yards with a long of 11 yards. While he looked fine on all but one of those runs, he struggled in the passing game as he only caught two of five balls thrown his direction.
Like Redman, Dwyer was tendered $1.323 million as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, so there still remains a chance that he might not make the final 53 man roster if his play on special teams doesn\’t improve over the course of the next three games.
With Bell and Redman possibly being down Monday night, Dwyer could very well get a chance to answer his own bell in Washington. He has done it every year prior to this one, but that is in the past now. Just as Tomlin said Saturday, he still has time to strengthen his case for this year.
