The first day working with pads on featured a number of highlights for the Steelers, and one very low moment when rookie cornerback Corey Trice Jr. went down with a non-contact injury to his lower right leg. Trice was carted off the field with his head bowed and coach Mike Tomlin said afterward that he had no information on the seventh round draft choice’s condition.
Highlights included the “backs on ‘backers” drill, with running backs taking on linebackers in one-on-one goal line situations. And on the other end of the field, rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. matched up with second-year wideout George Pickens, and Pickens made a sensational leaping one-handed grab.
Tomlin likes the intensity of working in pads. He says he looks forward to more of it in the coming days.
The coach says the competition level in camp has been high and working in pads will help players separate themselves from each other.
Quarterback Kenny Pickett continues to develop in his second training camp, and he says working against the Steelers’ defense is helping.
The Steelers yesterday signed running backs Greg Bell and John Lovett and released running back Jason Huntley. All three of them are second-year players.
