Category: 2023 Steelers training camp

Steelers S Damontae Kazee in walking boot after ankle injury

Damontae Kazee isn’t concerned about his ankle injury.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers got to work on Sunday at training camp, projected starting safety Damontae Kazee was in a walking boot according to ESPN NFL reporter Brookey Pryor.

Kazee suffered an ankle injury Saturday that cut his practice short. Although Kazee is in a boot, he gave the impression the injury is not serious. According to Kazee, he said it is a week-to-week thing and if he had to he could practice Tuesday. This gives the impression Pittsburgh is going to be patient with him and he will be out for much of the week.

After the Steelers lost Terrell Edmunds to free agency, it was assumed Kazee would take his spot in the starting lineup. But the injury will give free-agent addition Keanu Neal an opportunity to get first-team reps at training camp practices. The Steelers have also worked in veteran cornerback Patrick Peterson in at safety as well.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers announce signing of LB Kwon Alexander

Pittsburgh has built a whole new inside linebacker depth chart this season.

On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced the signing of free-agent inside linebacker Kwon Alexander. The news of the two sides agreeing to terms was first reported on Saturday by ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor.

Alexander worked out for the Steelers back in May and we wondered if the team would sign him prior to the start of training camp. Alexander joins Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb, Mark Robinson and Tanner Muse in a very crowded inside linebacker room.

The key to Alexander’s role on the team will be his health. He’s struggled to stay healthy for much of his career with last season being the first year he played a full season since 2016. He shouldn’t be asked to play a ton of snaps which will maximize his opportunities in this defense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers WR George Pickens on offense: ‘We’re gonna take more shots this year’

George Pickens talked about some chances to the offense this season.

Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens took the league by storm with some of the most impressive circus catches we had ever seen. This season, Pickens wants to take his game to a different level as he imagines the entire Pittsburgh offense getting more diverse and explosive during training camp.

Pickens spoke to the media on Saturday and when he was asked about him getting the first target in seven shots at training camp. Pickens referred to it as an “explosive hint” of what is to come with the Pittsburgh offense. Pickett used the word balance a lot in the interview not only describe the run game and pass game but also in terms of who will be getting the football in the passing game.

Another area of his game Pickens wants to work on is his RAC. No receiver had a better catch rate last season but Pickens did struggle to get separation in his routes. Some tweaking in that area should give him opportunities to make big plays on shorts throws rather than just depending on the deep ball.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers rookie LB Nick Herbig showing off coverage skills at training camp

Nick Herbig has been an early winner at Steelers training camp.

When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft, it wasn’t clear what his role would be on defense. Through two days of practice, we might be seeing glimpses of what Pittsburgh is going to ask of Herbig.

Coming out of Wisconsin, Herbig’s athleticism was never in question. The concerns were with his lack of bulk and wondering if he could hold up physically in the run game. Pittsburgh asks their outside linebackers to be just as strong as a run defender as a pass rusher, especially on early downs.

But in training camp, Herbig is showing not only some solid pass-rush moves but also some impressive coverage skills. Those in attendance have noted Herbig looks very natural dropping into coverage and he has enough speed not to be a liability.

If Herbig can develop as a situational pass rusher and coverage player, he gives Pittsburgh a fourth outside linebacker for the rotation. T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith as an elite duo and Markus Golden is maybe the best third edge the team could ask for. But getting Herbig in the fold as a rookie really adds some punch to a group looking to return to form as the premier group of pass rushers in the NFL.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers EDGE Alex Highsmith has big Friday practice

Alex Highsmith showed on his pass-rush skills in seven shots on Friday.

Fresh off of signing a huge contract extension, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith wasted no time in getting back to work at training camp.

Keeping in mind, the drills aren’t fully live and so you aren’t seeing a lot of hitting, Highsmith made a pair of plays that showcased his skills. The team went through seven shots and on two of the plays that resulted in touchdowns, Highsmith beat his man and both would have ended in sacks in any other scenario.

Highsmith signed a new five-year contract just before the starting training camp worth $68 million. This is after Highsmith had his best season as a pro with 14.5 sacks and led the league with five forced fumbles.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers training camp: Heat got the best of several players on Friday

Dionate Johnson rode the cart from training camp practice on Friday due to the heat.

With heat indexes over 100 degrees, the Pittsburgh Steelers still went out and got to work Friday on the second day of training camp practice, but not everyone dealt well with the excessive heat.

According to reporters, wide receiver Diontae Johnson was overtaken by the heat and rode the cart as he left practice early. Fullback Connor Heyward and defensive end DeMarvin Leal both missed practice time because of the high temperatures, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.

A point of emphasis for Tomlin early in any training camp is conditioning. This doesn’t mean Tomlin wants to see any player negatively impacted by the heat but he acknowledged testing conditioning a big part of the first week of camp.

Looking ahead, the weather, things should be must more mild and manageable for the next week with rain being the biggest worry from the weather.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers OC Matt Canada signs toilet seat at training camp

What do you think of of this stunt pulled by a Steelers fan?

Now this isn’t something you see every day. Some fan at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp brought a toilet seat and had offensive coordinator Matt Canada sign it. Judging by this picture, Canada obliged the fan despite the fact this is grossly disrespectful.

Fans have been hard on Canada over the last two seasons on social media but this feels like they went too far. I do have a newfound respect for Canada for taking this in stride and signing it when the temptation would have been to tell the fan to go pound sand.

The Steelers offense on paper is loaded with talent. Regardless of how you feel about Canada, it would be in everyone’s best interest to root for Canada to have a big year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers GM Omar Khan talks economics of the NFL running back

Huge quarterback salaries in the NFL impacts a team’s entire roster.

If you are old enough, you remember a time when NFL teams built their offense around the run game. The idea of a franchise running back really meant something. But this isn’t the case in today’s NFL despite running backs being more physically gifted and talented than ever before.

The economics of the league has turned away from the running back position just as they have the dependency on the position and this has created an uncomfortable position for teams and backs. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan spoke to the media and when he was asked about the running back situation, offered up an interesting explanation.

“Look, you don’t have to be a mathematician to figure it out,” Khan said. “When quarterback salaries start increasing at the rate that they’re increasing, at some point, it’s going to have a residual effect on somewhere on the roster.”

The Steelers will soon be at a crossroads when it comes to the quarterback and running back salaries. Pittsburgh spent first-round picks on running back Najee Harris and quarterback Kenny Pickett in back-to-back seasons. Harris will be up for an extension ahead of Pickett but this could seriously impact how much the front office is willing to spend.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Steelers DT Cam Heyward calls a playoff win ‘low hanging fruit’

Cam Heyward talks about his goals for the upcoming season.

When the media spoke to Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt, he lamented the fact that the Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since he was drafted in 2017. He pointed to that as a start for a successful season.

Defensive tackle Cam Heyward spoke to the media on Thursday and he called the goal of winning a playoff game “long-hanging fruit” and said that the team needs to aspire to much more.

Heyward has been with the team since they drafted him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Heyward has been around for three playoff wins but has never reached the Super Bowl. As he heads into this 13th season, Heyward knows his days are numbered in the league and the window to win a Super Bowl is closing. So the idea of winning a playoff game isn’t what he’s thinking about.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]