Steelers notes: Anthony McFarland better conditioned, more prepared in Year 2

By all accounts, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland is having a better training camp this year than he had as a rookie in 2020.

He’s most certainly had a better preseason; last year, the NFL did not play preseason games.

The latter, McFarland’s position coach said, helps lead to the former.

“The single biggest thing for Ant is the fact he’s got a preseason this year,” Eddie Faulkner said after Sunday’s camp practice at Heinz Field. “I feel like that’s really sped up his learning curve a little bit, so I am excited about that.”

McFarland has 56 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 14 touches in two preseason games (two catches for 13 yards; 12 carries for 43 yards). Although it comes with the caveat that Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage have missed large portions of camp because of injury, McFarland has been the clear No. 2 running back behind first-round pick Najee Harris.

A fourth-round pick last season, McFarland would seem to have a 53-man roster spot locked up. Even if he does not win the job to be the backup featured running back who would spell Harris on an every-down basis because of injury, McFarland’s speed and playmaking figure to offer him a niche in the Matt Canada offense regardless as a change-of-pace, “home run hitter.”

“(McFarland) came in highly conditioned,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “Last year, he missed some work during the development process due to his lack of readiness, which is very common for a young guy. He’s been very available this year, and I think that’s just aided in his growth and development and it is producing the play you are looking at.”

In 11 games as a rookie, McFarland had 113 rushing yards on 33 carries (3.4 average) and six catches on nine targets for 54 yards. He had one 20-yard carry, one 17-yard catch but no other “splash plays” and no touchdowns. Probably McFarland’s most notable moment as a rookie was Dec, 7 against Washington when Ben Roethlisberger threw to him on a deeper route on fourth-and-1 with 4 minutes, 57 seconds left in a tie game that would end up being the Steelers’ first defeat.

Though McFarland at times has shown issues with fumbles, Faulkner brushed those off. Faulkner said McFarland during camp has flashed everything the Steelers need out of him this season.

“I just need to see it more consistently,” Faulkner said. “He might have four out of five plays exactly the way you want it, and that one is lax … So we are pressing that so we can be 100% on that kind of stuff, and Ant wants it so I am confident he will get that done.”

No time to rest

The two-hour practice the Steelers conducted Sunday was not on the original training camp schedule. Because of the late scheduling, it was closed to fans.

If the players were expecting a glorified walkthrough, they were mistaken. Tomlin put them through a regular practice regimen that began with the seven-shots 2-point conversion simulation and ended with the two-minute offense.

“It’s important that we stay on edge and snap that ball as much as we can and use those snaps as opportunities to grow and understand and develop skills individually and collectively,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin wanted to see how his players reacted before giving them a day off Monday.

“Sometimes pushing forward makes us a little uncomfortable,” he said. “That’s part of the process.”

The Steelers will simulate a regular-season game setting this week with practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the play Detroit on Saturday. That also will bring an end to the Heinz Field portion of training camp.

Sitting out

Among those who sat out team drills Sunday were cornerback Joe Haden, running back Benny Snell, defensive back Antoine Brooks, outside linebacker Melvin Ingram, defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt and outside linebacker T.J. Watt. Rookie center Kendrick Green again was not present at practice, excused by Tomlin.

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