Aaron Rodgers offered a one-word wish for the final preseason game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Health.”

Rodgers didn’t have to worry about the risk of injury because he didn’t play a snap against the Carolina Panthers. Or in the entire preseason, for that matter. Same goes for Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and DK Metcalf. Their first snaps in a game setting will take place Sept. 7 in New Jersey against the New York Jets.

Isaac Seumalo also didn’t see the field, but he gets a pass because he began training camp on the non-football injury list.

As for those who played for the Steelers in the preseason, two players suffered injuries of significance. The biggest was to rookie first-round pick Derrick Harmon, who could miss a month because of a knee sprain. Christian Kuntz is dealing with a chest injury, but the fact the Steelers released his replacement in the first wave of roster cuts means the organization is confident about his ability to serve as long snapper for the opener.

The Steelers will use the next two weeks to get others back on the practice field. Calvin Austin, Alex Highsmith, Cory Trice Jr., Nick Herbig, Calvin Anderson and Jonnu Smith spring to mind.

Health aside, here is what we learned — and in some cases, didn’t learn — about the Steelers at the conclusion of preseason play:

1. The offense remains a mystery

Three veterans, including the two high-profile additions (Rodgers and Metcalf) will head into the regular season without the benefit of any preseason playing time. Jaylen Warren played just eight snaps and looked shaky in his brief appearance. Austin, the de facto No. 2 receiver, didn’t play because of an abdominal injury.

That’s plenty of missing pieces that will have to get in sync when the ball is kicked off at Met Life Stadium.

2. Quarterback depth is strong

The absence of Rodgers and sixth-round pick Will Howard because of his broken finger allowed Mason Rudolph to start all three games and Skylar Thompson to take the bulk of the preseason snaps.

Rudolph did nothing to lose his grip on the No. 2 job no matter how much Thompson carved up the Jacksonville and Carolina second-string and third-stringers.

Thompson, though, made it difficult for the Steelers to cut him. The way Thompson played in the preseason makes it easier for the Steelers to place Howard on short-term injured reserve to start the season.

Howard would have to sit out the first four weeks of the season, games he wouldn’t play anyway. Howard still hasn’t done any throwing since breaking a finger on his throwing hand three weeks ago. A trip to IR could allow him to take his time rehabbing his injury while continuing to pore over the playbook.

3. Offensive line depth is suspect

The biggest questions entering camp was how well Broderick Jones would assimilate at the left tackle spot after spending the past two years on the right side, and whether Troy Fautanu was ready to step in at right tackle after a lost rookie season.

Jones and Fautanu did nothing to hurt their stock in the preseason, and the interior of the line looks solid with center Zach Frazier and Mason McCormick entering their second NFL seasons. Spencer Anderson is a capable backup to Seumalo.

Behind them? That’s where it gets tricky.

Calvin Anderson was brought back in free agency to serve as the swing tackle, but he missed the entire preseason because of injury. Ryan McCollum, the backup center last season, missed the first two games, then was called for three penalties in the second half Thursday.

Tackle Dylan Cook spent 2023 on the active roster but spent last year on injured reserve. Max Scharping filled in for McCollum and is a six-year vet. The Steelers also brought in guard/tackle Andrus Peat off the street. Those are potential backup pieces unless the Steelers add someone off the waiver wire after final cuts.

4. The secondary remains a work in progress

Mike Tomlin has vowed to find starting roles for cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay and Jalen Ramsey. With DeShon Elliott manning strong safety, the Steelers will have Ramsey play free safety or the slot.

The three corners were on the field for just nine snaps in the finale after they each sat the first two games. Juan Thornhill, a big hitter, will figure into the mix in subpackages, and Brandin Echols is the top backup corner. How these pieces interlock in the secondary will be worth watching in the weeks leading up to the season opener.

The future of Beanie Bishop is another issue after the second-year slot corner didn’t play against Carolina and already was in a fight to earn a 53-man roster spot.

5. Are the hold-ins over?

Cameron Heyward practiced in pads Tuesday for the first time since the early days of training camp, and he was back on the practice field Saturday, signaling perhaps he has scuttled plans to “hold in” and not participate in team drills until he gets a new contract.

His situation will bear watching until Sept. 1 when the real work begins in advance of the season opener against the Jets. Kicker Chris Boswell booted an extra point against Carolina, then relinquished kicking duties to rookie Ben Sauls, who was auditioning for the other 31 teams. Boswell also seeks a new contract, but his presence in the past two preseason games showed he could be softening his “hold-in” stance as well.

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