The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up Day 3 of Training Camp 2014 about twenty minutes early due to severe weather entering the Latrobe area. Thus ends the non-padded practice portion of camp, with live hitting and tackling due for tomorrow.
The first weekend at St. Vincent College passed without much major news to report beyond a few injuries that bear watching: safety Mike Mitchell beginning on the physically unable to perform list (groin), as well as running back Le’Veon Bell (hamstring) and wide receiver Martavis Bryant (groin) leaving Sunday practice early.
None of the above injuries are believed to be serious.
The Steelers are expected to welcome to practice LG Ramon Foster for the first time Monday as he returns from a personal absence (death in the family). In his place the team has filled in with Cody Wallace (who re-signed with the team on a three-year contract in the offseason) on Saturday and Chris Hubbard (who spent 2013 on the team’s practice squad). Wallace was running second team center on Sunday as opposed to first team LG.
One of Sunday’s featured drills was one of head coach Mike Tomlin’s signature “situational” drills with the team focusing on 3rd-down offense. In one notable snap, Ben Roethlisberger had four of his five skill positions filled by short targets: 5’10” Antonio Brown, 5’11” Markus Wheaton, 5’9” Lance Moore, and 5’8” Dri Archer. Roethlisberger chose to hit his one tall target, 6’7” tight end Matt Spaeth.
Archer, however, put his speed on display throughout the weekend on a number of swing passes and check downs. He’ll be one of the most watched newbies this week when the pads come on and the hitting begins.
Archer also was taking first-team reps at punt returns, with Wheaton, Moore, and Jeannette’s own Jordan Hall filling out the depth chart. No sign of Antonio Brown yet in the return game.
Ken Laird
Talk Show Host / Reporter
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