5 things to watch in tonight’s Steelers preseason opener vs. Cowboys

It has been 179 days since the most recent NFL game and 207 days since the Pittsburgh Steelers suited up for one.

Typically far less relevant — but eminently notable under the year’s circumstances — is it has been 707 days since an NFL preseason game was played.

It was Aug. 29, 2019, when the Steelers most recently played an exhibition game. The long-since-forgotten Jayrone Elliott and Johnny Holton were the Steelers stars against the Carolina Panthers on that Thursday evening in which 15 other NFL preseason games were played.

There hasn’t been once since, owed to the coronavirus pandemic that wiped out the 2020 preseason schedule.

At least that adds a sliver of intrigue to Thursday’s 8 p.m. Hall of Fame Game between the Steelers and Dallas Cowboys in Canton, Ohio. The annual preseason opener normally features even fewer recognizable names taking fewer snaps than the average preseason game. If any projected veteran regular-season starters for either team play at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, they will be few and far between.

But that doesn’t mean Steelers fans won’t have anything to track. Here are the five most relevant storylines to watch for Thursday:

1. QB2 battle

There have been plenty of competitions in recent years to determine the top backup for Ben Roethlisberger, but never before did the winner get the inside track to being Roethlisberger’s long-term successor.

Big Ben is 39, and his contract is set to void next spring. It’s not assured this is his last season, but if it is, the first chance at replacing Roethlisberger in 2022 would figure to be his top understudy in 2021.

Mason Rudolph was anointed to that spot to start camp, and he remains ahead of Dwayne Haskins on the depth chart — for now. But the gap is narrowing, and a strong performance by Haskins on Thursday could start to make things interesting.

Auditioning to be Ben's successor "was (the case) the first day I got here.”https://t.co/DMOEaO54OI

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 3, 2021

2. Rookie reviews

Because of his status as the first-round pick and a high-profile college player, running back Najee Harris is the headliner to watch of not only the Steelers rookies but all their players. There is no guarantee he plays much, though, and playmaking second-round pick Pat Freithermuth also might not play after leaving Tuesday’s practice because of a shoulder injury.

But third- and fourth-rounders Kendrick Green and Dan Moore Jr. not only will play but will start at center and left tackle, respectively. It could be a preview of the core of the Steelers’ offensive line of the future.

Later-round draft picks inside linebacker Buddy Johnson, defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, outside linebacker Quincy Roche, defensive back Tre Norwood and punter Pressley Harvin III offer their own intrigue.

And undrafted rookies such as defensive backs Shakur Brown, Mark Gilbert, Donovan Stiner and Lamont Wade, and receivers Rico Bussey, Isaiah McKoy and Matthew Sexton each have had their moments to shine at times during camp practices so are worth keeping an eye out for.

“Najee, he doesn’t duck no bump.” #SteelersCamp https://t.co/UIBR5Xvi8u

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 2, 2021

3. Nickel-odeon

The only true toss-up battle for a starting spot on offense or defense is at nickel corner, where second-year Antoine Brooks and veteran Arthur Maulet are the frontrunners.

Coach Mike Tomlin has had his eye on Brooks for years dating to when he played at Maryland. Brooks would seem to have more upside, but Maulet has 12 starts (and four seasons) worth of NFL experience.

There’s also a chance second-year cornerback James Pierre shows himself too good to keep off the field, in which case it’s possible Cameron Sutton would move from the outside to the nickel during passing downs.

Sorting it out begins in earnest Thursday.

“Big shoes to fill – clown shoes,” Antoine Brooks Jr. said, clearly emphasizing the size of the figurative shoes Mike Hilton vacated by signing as a free agent with the Cincinnati #Bengals this spring.https://t.co/SgoNGWEY4M

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) July 29, 2021

4. Splash makers

Odds are — at least the hope is — the Steelers will make a big play or two against the Cowboys. Can a Jamir Jones or Jamar Watson force a strip sack rushing off the edge? Will an Anthony Johnson or Tyler Simmons catch a deep pass? Maybe Kalen Ballage or Tony Brooks-James has a long run, or Stephen Denmark or Norwood has a “pick six.”

If any of those happens, it’s possible — in some cases, even likely — it will be that player’s 15 minutes of fame as a Steeler. But perhaps a splash play from an unheralded player is what catches the affection of coaches and earns them a job.

It’s all part of the fun of watching a preseason game.

Pressley Harvin III, the strong-legged punter from Georgia Tech, was the #Steelers’ second pick of the seventh round, No. 254 overall.

Harvin was the only punter taken in the draft. https://t.co/WolTzkM75P

— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) May 2, 2021

5. Pressley and the Aussie

Even if Jordan Berry is the six-year incumbent punter, he might be the underdog in his quest to hold off the strong-legged Harvin, who has boomed some punts during practice and had quite the resume in college.

Berry, though, has beaten out younger competitors in the past, and there is a level of security in him felt by special teams coordinator Danny Smith. Harvin would be best served to show consistency in not botching any punts, or — just as importantly — any snaps while serving as holder in game settings.

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