'It's all love' for Jack in Jacksonville return

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Myles Jack didn’t have to wait long to make his homecoming at TIAA Bank Field.

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first — and only — preseason road game coincided with the 26-year-old inside linebacker’s return to Jacksonville, site of his first six NFL seasons.

“It’s definitely going to be weird,” Jack said after the Steelers wrapped up training camp at Saint Vincent in advance of their trip. “I don’t even know what the visiting locker room looks like in Jacksonville.”

Jack was a fixture on the home side of the stadium with the Jaguars. A second-round pick in the 2016 draft, Jack started 82 games and appeared in 88 before he was released in March.

A day later, Jack signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Steelers that included a $6.5 million signing bonus. Jack made his debut with the Steelers last Saturday when they faced the Seattle Seahawks at Acrisure Stadium.

“It’s kind of crazy,” he said. “Even warming up for this last game was a little different being in a different stadium. But it felt like home once the game started going.”

Of the chance to face his former teammates, Jack said, “It will be cool to see those guys. It’s all love.”

Jack got to see some of his old friends up close at the coin toss. He represented the Steelers as the lone captain to take the field, a nod to his tenure with the Jaguars. Jack played three series, and, when he left the game, he was tied for the team lead with four tackles — two solo and two assisted.

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Jack said he enjoyed the training camp experience at Saint Vincent, but he added that considerable work needs to be accomplished before the season opener Sept. 11 at Cincinnati. The only remaining game action is next Sunday against Detroit in the preseason finale.

“I want to hone in on my skills, continue to maximize the playbook and show these coaches we’re capable of executing the plays that they call so we can expand on what we’re doing,” he said. “Just continue to warm your pads up and get ready for the season to come. We’ve got 17 games coming.”

Jack will start at one inside linebacker spot. Devin Bush and Robert Spillane are competing to start at the other.

“Both of those guys know the defense,” Jack said. “I’m trying to speed up and get their understanding of it.”

Starting, sitting

Defensive captain Cam Heyward did not dress because of the left ankle injury he suffered in practice Thursday, the final day of training camp at Saint Vincent. Running back Najee Harris, who had resumed practicing after a foot injury, also did not play against the Jaguars. Harris, though, took part in pregame warmups. Heyward did not.

Benny Snell Jr. started in place of Harris. It was his first action of the preseason. Larry Ogunjobi and Tyson Alualu started on the defensive line as the Steelers opened in the nickel package with Cameron Sutton playing slot corner.

Other players who did not suit up for the game were inside linebacker Marcus Allen, fullback Derek Watt, cornerback Arthur Maulet and outside linebacker Alex Highsmith. Genard Avery started in place of Highsmith.

Substitute teachings

After getting a sack on the second series, outside linebacker T.J. Watt headed to the bench and never returned. He was replaced by Derrek Tuszka. Free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick left after the second series was complete. His replacement was Damontae Kazee.

Kendrick Green started at left guard, but he was subbed by Kevin Dotson for the second and third series. Greene returned with 6 minutes left in the half when Kenny Pickett took over at quarterback.