Steelers coach Mike Tomlin still has a lot of decisions to make before he settles on a 53-man roster, and he has one final chance to get a look at the contenders tomorrow night in the final preseason game at Atlanta. Tomlin says everybody who is healthy will play, and while he will be looking at guys who are vying for a spot on the team, he is also treating the game with more of an in-season approach.
The coach says he has a specific plan for the game and certain things he wants to see.
The Steelers are especially excited about the competition for jobs in the secondary. Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. took snaps with the first team defense yesterday and Patrick Peterson moved inside. Elijah Riley and Chandon Sullivan have been battling for an inside slot corner spot and Tomlin likes the quality of both. He also wants to see Tre Norwood return at safety, if possible, following an injury, and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi and offensive lineman Nate Herbig might be able to suit up for the first time tomorrow night.
You’ll hear tomorrow night’s game on WDAD FM 100.3 and AM 1450, starting at 5:30.
NFL
- The Buccaneers have named Baker Mayfield their starting quarterback for Week One against the Vikings in Minneapolis. Mayfield signed with Tampa in the offseason after spending last year with the Panthers and Rams. He beat out Kyle Trask, the Bucs’ second round draft pick from two years ago.
- A massive brawl cut short a joint practice between the Eagles and Colts short in Philadelphia yesterday. Philly center Jason Kelce laid a blindside block on Indy linebacker Zaire Franklin at the end of a play, which sparked a sideline-clearing fight. Kelce took responsibility for his actions at the end of practice, calling his hit a “cheap shot.” He was retaliating after Franklin got physical with Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell several times. The Eagles and Colts play each other tomorrow night in Philly.
