LATROBE, Pa. -- Any time the pads come on for practice in training camp, the excitement level rises. When live tackling drills take place during the last practice before the Steelers take the field for their first exhibition of the preseason, you know Mike Tomlin means business.
Tomlin addressed the media before Thursday's practice to go over team rotations and other details for Saturday's game against the Seahawks, including the decision to start Mitch Trubisky at quarterback. However, Tomlin only went so far in his conversation regarding Saturday. Though game action is obviously vital to making roster decisions, Tomlin did not want to overlook the work that needed to be done on the fields at Saint Vincent College.
"Today’s a big day," Tomlin said. "I’d be doing today a disservice if I started looking too much ahead. We have a Steelers versus Steelers padded practice today and that’s significant. Guys will have an opportunity to show what they’re capable of. I’m excited."
Part of Thursday's work included a live tackling drill between receivers and defensive backs, with a few running backs and linebackers thrown in. It was a one-on-one drill where one offensive player would receive a ball flipped to them, then they had to get by one opposing defender in a very narrow space. To make it even more interesting, Tomlin ran the drill.
Minkah Fitzpatrick stood out, looking like the guy who racked up 124 tackles last season. In back-to-back reps, Gunner Olszewski -- a very quick and shifty receiver -- had a chance to get by Fitzpatrick, and was being rooted on by his offensive peers, especially Najee Harris. But, Fitzpatrick prevailed in both reps, forcing Olszewski out of bounds in the first rep and stopping him in his tracks in the second.
There were many other hard hits and plenty of shifty moves throughout the drill. On multiple occasions, Calvin Austin III showed how difficult it will be to get a hand on him if he has a defender one on one. Arthur Maulet also showed how good of a tackler he is in space. That's something sorely needed from the secondary.
But, like a long-running TV show, the drill had a memorable finale. Master Teague III and Mark Robinson lined up for what should have been the final rep, with Teague running over Robinson. With offensive players cheering, Robinson called for a rematch and Tomlin granted it. In that rematch, Robinson got the better of Teague, getting low enough to emphatically take out the 225-pound running back.
Both sides then pleaded for a rubber match, and Tomlin acquiesced. Robinson got low on him once again, but Teague was able to keep upright enough to put his hand out, regain his balance and finish the run. It did appear, however, that Teague's knee hit the ground, and the defensive players all clamored for him to be ruled down.
We'll never know Tomlin's ruling. He gathered all the players together, said a few words, then the players moved on to the next phase of practice.
This drill really excited the players, but also the fans in attendance. The reactions grew louder and louder as the drill went on, and the players were fully energized and engaged throughout its entirety.
It's a bit surprising that Tomlin had a live tackling drill two days before a game. But, it's easy to look back in retrospect and see why Thursday was a "big day."
MORE FROM PRACTICE
• George Pickens may be the story of camp so far, but Jaylen Warren is making a serious push for a spot on this roster. He had a couple more impressive moments Thursday, including a huge run up the middle during 11-on-11. He has great acceleration through the hole, and uses impressive balance to shift his weight to avoid defenders in tight areas.
Benny Snell did not participate in practice Thursday, giving Warren more opportunities to make an impression.
We have yet to see him in game action. But, if he can take what he's doing in Latrobe to preseason games, I have a hard time seeing him off this roster. If he does well enough in pass-catching and pass protection, he may even make a run for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
• In his pre-practice press conference, Tomlin did not rule anybody out of Saturday's game. However, Najee Harris (foot), Kevin Dotson (ankle), Alex Highsmith (ribs) Genard Avery (groin), Montravius Adams (ankle), Marcus Allen (hamstring), Chase Claypool (shoulder), Zach Gentry (undisclosed) and Mateo Durant (undisclosed) all missed practice Thursday. Harris at least wore shoulder pads and participated in some individual drills ahead of team drills.
• Tyson Alualu (knee) finally participated in team drills Thursday, which is a great sign since he came off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) List. Diontae Johnson (hip) was also a limited participant in practice, but did take part in a goods amount of team drills.
• With all of these injuries, Anthony McFarland slotted in as the No. 1 running back, followed by Warren and Teague. Kendrick Green started at left tackle and Derrek Tuszka filled in as the starting right outside linebacker.