Everybody was on board yesterday as the Steelers reported to training camp in Latrobe, but a couple of defensive stalwarts will start camp with restrictions.
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was placed on the Non-Football Injury list because of a wrist he sprained when he fell off his bicycle while on vacation. Defensive lineman Tyson Alualu was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list because of a swollen knee which coach Mike Tomlin said was a result of “over-training”. Alualu is coming back from missing almost all of last season with a broken ankle.
Tomlin called the three-way quarterback competition to replace Ben Roethisberger “the elephant in the room,” but said he’s content to let Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, and Kenny Pickett sort out the position naturally in camp.
Tomlin said he was excited to be back in Latrobe for the intangible benefits his team will get from being together at Saint Vincent College.
Minkah Fitzpatrick says Saint Vincent is an opportunity for the team to find out about itself.
NFL Defensive Player of the Year TJ Watt said he was happy to be back at Saint Vincent, because the team can focus on the job at hand.
The Steelers yesterday signed free agent running back Jeremy McNichols to a one-year contract. He’s been with the Titans, Colts, and Buccaneers in his five-year NFL career. He played for Tennessee last year.
The first preseason game will be at home against Seattle on August 13th.
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The Bengals are missing their man under center as they kick off training camp. The NFL Network reports quarterback Joe Burrow had an appendectomy and will miss the first part of camp. He’ll be back in “a few days.”
Seven-time NFL Pro Bowler Julio Jones has agreed to a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 33-year-old Jones spent last season with Tennessee after ten years in Atlanta. Jones’ 13,000-plus career receiving yards leads all active players.
