The Pittsburgh Steelers have more than just a few players on their current roster that are position flexible and during Thursday’s training camp practice a few tight ends were able show that they could play another position.
During Thursday’s training camp practice, Steelers long snapper Kameron Canaday reportedly experienced some tightness and that resulted in tight ends Vance McDonald and Trevor Wood both getting opportunities to show off their long snapping skills.
After practice was over, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked during his short press conference if it’s a bonus for young players that they scout to be able to play more than one position.
“There’s no question,” Tomlin said. “You know, versatility, the ability to do multiple things helps their cause and ours. Case in point, Kam, our long snapper, had some tightness [today], wasn’t able to finish practice. We saw a couple of tight ends, Trevor [Wood] and Vance McDonald, snap long and short. Their day job’s tight end. We know they’re both capable. They both had an opportunity to display that in the course of practice today. That’s just kind of what this journey is about. Young guys with versatility, young guys that are capable of doing multiple jobs is an asset.”
During his college career at Rice, McDonald did some long snapping and Wood, a rookie this year, did some of that as well at Texas A&M. Since arriving in Pittsburgh a few years ago, McDonald has been the team’s designated backup long snapper. Thankfully they haven’t had to use him any in that capacity to date.
We’ll have to wait and see what Canaday’s status is moving forward as it has since been reported by Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he’s possibly dealing with a groin injury that required him getting an MRI. If Canaday’s injury is a long term one, the Steelers might decide to sign another long snapper. However, if it is a short-term injury, McDonald and Wood might get to show off their position flexibility in a few more practices.
