Coach Mike Tomlin is eager to see something other than “Steelers versus Steelers” when the team takes on the Houston Texans tomorrow night at Acrisure Stadium. Yesterday, the Steelers put on the pads again at St. Vincent College in a spirited practice.
Russell Wilson was a full practice participant and is listed as the starting quarterback on the initial depth chart of the preseason, but he will not suit up tomorrow night. Tomlin also ruled out guard Isaac Seumalo, and defensive veterans Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, TJ Watt, Patrick Queen, and Alex Highsmith.
The coach says Houston is the right opponent for the Steelers, because they’ve already played this preseason, last week in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio.
Tomlin checked off a list of things he will be looking for from the Steelers tomorrow night.
Tomlin won’t read too much into the game’s outcome, but he is interested to see how his young guys react to “stadium football.”
After reports yesterday afternoon that the Steelers and 49ers had come to agreement on a trade for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, no deal was announced by either team. Various NFL sources said a trade would not involve a player currently on the Steelers’ roster and would instead be for draft picks. An early report claimed the 49ers were asking for two future number one draft choices. Mike Tomlin responded to a reporter’s question about a trade by saying, “I’ll let you guys (the media) speculate on that.”
The Steelers have signed rookie free agent inside linebacker Easton Gibbs, who started the preseason on Seattle’s non-football injury list and was released last week. He was undrafted this year out of Wyoming, where he had 109 tackles, 47 solo, last season with an interception and two forced fumbles. Linebacker Tyler Murray was waived/injured.
NFL
Preseason Week One kicks off tonight with the Patriots hosting the Panthers and Giants hosting the Lions. New York and Detroit will square off after both teams were fined by the NFL for fighting during joint practices this week.
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