After spending his entire rookie season on the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, second-year wide receiver Justin Brown is expected to make a run at a spot on the final 53 man roster this offseason.
The more that Brown can do on offense this year over the course of the summer, the harder it will be to release him and according to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, he’s not only doing a lot, he’s doing well at doing a lot.
“Justin’s been getting a lot of reps and I’m really proud of the way that Justin’s been playing,” said Roethlisberger of the second-year Oklahoma product. “He’s been playing three spots at receiver and not making many mistakes at all, and as a matter of fact, actually making quite a few plays.”
Brown joined fellow young wide receivers Markus Wheaton and Derek Moye out in California during the offseason in order to get some early work in with Roethlisberger and by the sound of things, all three players are better for having made that trip.
Last season, it was Moye who got the nod over Brown out of training camp and the two appear to be headed for a great battle in training camp this year.
Just because Brown got the primary nod of approval from Roethlisberger on Thursday, however, doesn’t mean that he’s forgotten about Moye.
“I think both of those guys have done a great job,” said Roethlisberger of Moye and Brown. “They put in a lot of work this offseason. We went out to California and threw a little bit, so excited for his (Moye’s) growth as well.”
