David DeCastro again misses Steelers practice; Mike Tomlin hopeful he’ll return next week

The unique 19-day, 14-practice Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2020 training camp began and ended with David DeCastro missing the first week and the last week. Coach Mike Tomlin left it open for interpretation when the Pro Bowl guard will return to practice as it shifts back to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

“He wasn’t good enough to go today,” Tomlin said via video conference call after Friday’s practice wrapped up. “Hopefully, he will be good enough to go the first of next week. We do have a ‘bonus day’ on Monday. I don’t know if I want to expose him to that. Hopefully, we will see what it looks like as we get into the normal rhythm of our preparation week.”

The Steelers are scheduled to open the season Sept. 14 at the New York Giants. Because it is a Monday night game and because it’s the season opener, the Steelers are expected to have two extra practices — Monday and next Saturday, Sept. 12 — compared to a normal week.

DeCastro has a lower-body injury suffered during an intrasquad scrimmage Aug. 28. Veteran Stefan Wisniewski is the top backup on the interior offensive line.

Wisniewski helped fill in at center while Maurkice Pouncey missed several practices to attend his grandmother’s funeral, and he played right guard when DeCastro missed much of the first week dealing with an injury.

“Obviously, I’m capable of (starting), but I have been a backup, as well,” Wisniewski said last week. “I am the kind of guy, I’m going to come to work every day with a great attitude no matter what my role is. If I’m a backup, I’m going to be working hard every day so I am ready to go if and when someone gets hurt, and I am in there.”

Note: Cornerback Cam Sutton returned to practice Friday after missing time because of a calf injury.

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