Its been a rough first training camp for rookie tight end Rob Blanchflower, who has finally worked his way back to practice after missing time early on with an ankle injury.
Recently, the Steelers seventh-round draft pick talked about how the left high ankle sprain set him back.
“It was frustrating” Blanchflower told steelers.com. “Being mentally prepared to be out there and physically not being allowed, it’s frustrating but I tried to learn as much as I could and take mental reps.”
While sidelined in a walking boot, Blanchflower was still able to follow along as best as he could.
“Whenever I was not rehabbing, I am watching film or taking mental reps, standing behind the guy out there and taking the coaching,” he said. “If you are limited physically you have to do the second best thing and do it as best as you can.”
During his Thursday morning press conference, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin named Blanchflower as one of several players that might could be considered questionable for the team’s preseason opener Saturday night against the New York Giants.
While Blanchflower is now back on the field and in pads, he still appears to be bothered by that ankle, according to out own Alex Kozora, who has attended every training camp practice so far this year.
With all of the reps that the Massachusetts product has missed so far during training camp, he really can’t afford to miss preseason game snaps on top of it. As of right now, Blanchflower is more in a battle for a spot on the practice squad than he is a spot on the 53 man roster.
Here’s to hoping that Blanchflower can play Saturday night against the Giants.
