Steelers specialists to split time with rookies in preseason opener

The Pittsburgh Steelers are giving equal time to each of the candidates in their kicking and punting competitions.

Embattled incumbent kicker Chris Boswell will alternate kicks with rookie Matthew Wright during Friday’s preseason opener, coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday. And Tomlin said fifth-year punter Jordan Berry will handle every other punt, with rookie Ian Berryman booting the others against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Heinz Field.

“Our intentions right now are to go every other kick, regardless of circumstances,” Tomlin said. “We’ve done that out here (at Saint Vincent).”

Thursday’s #Steelers practice proved rookies Ian Berryman and Matthew Wright are giving the incumbents a run for their money.https://t.co/QfNHTyMgUG

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 2, 2019

Boswell is coming off a subpar season. The Steelers persuaded Boswell to delay receiving a $2 million roster bonus until after the final preseason game, which is Aug. 29 at Carolina. If he is on the team, he gets the money.

Boswell made 92% of his field goal tries in being a Pro Bowler in 2017. He missed seven field goals and five extra points last season.

In the practice settings at Saint Vincent, Boswell has performed well — as has Wright, a rookie from UCF.

“(Boswell) has been solid, but we haven’t done anything yet, you know?” Tomlin said Wednesday. “We are stepping into a stadium for the first time… We’ve put him in some situations out here, but we are just beginning to unfold the storyline in terms of the consistency there.”

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