The Pittsburgh Steelers have now wrapped up their second training camp practice of the 2016 season and while the start was delayed by rain, it appears as though it was a well-received challenge by head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I actually enjoyed the circumstances today,” Tomlin said at the conclusion of Saturday’s practice. “It’s good to have to adjust and to be able to have to take a group through it. We dealt with weather circumstances today, it affected our morning in terms of the walk-thru, it affected our practice out here. I thought the guys did a nice job of not letting those outside things affect the play. They had high energy and it was good work. We’ll continue to do it and over time we’ll be presented with challenges like this, things that are outside our control, and I think it’s a measure of your group in terms of how they respond to it and don’t let that become the story. I thought they did a good job of that today and made some plays and got better and that’s what we’re here to do.”
The Steelers appear to have gotten out of practice without any injuries on Saturday as well. Tomlin did say, however, that safety Shamarko Thomas failed to participate due to him being sick.
“We gave him the day there,” said Tomlin of Thomas. “He should pass in a couple of days. All of the other things are status quo.”
After missing time on Friday with cramps, tight end Xavier Grimble was able to return to practice on Saturday. Tight end Ladarius Green (ankle) and wide receiver Shakim Phillips (hernia) remain sidelined on the Active PUP list.
Second-year wide receiver Sammie Coates was the star of day-two as he made several fantastic catches, according to reports on Twitter. After practice was over, Tomlin was asked if he is satisfied with Coates’ development so far.
“Very rarely do I use satisfied,” said Tomlin. “He had a good day.”
Eli Rogers saw time as the first-team slot wide receiver on Saturday and Tomlin was asked about that after practice was over.
“I wouldn’t read too much into what you’re looking at in that regard right now,” said Tomlin. “I took some reps away from Markus Wheaton today that provided opportunities for younger guys that work inside. We’re going to continue to look at younger guys.”
Tomlin was asked if Markus Wheaton is one of those situations and players he intends on managing during training camp.
“It is,” he said.
The Steelers will practice again on Sunday and that will be their first time wearing pads.
