Matt Feiler to get 1st snaps for Steelers at left guard; Ben Roethlisberger progressing

Stefen Wisniewski signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in March so he could compete at the left guard spot vacated by Ramon Foster’s retirement.

When training camp opens next month, however, the South Fayette native and Central Catholic graduate will be running behind former right tackle Matt Feiler in competition for the starting job.

Blame the coronavirus pandemic, which has eliminated all spring on-field work and could result in a shortened training camp and preseason.

Coach Mike Tomlin announced Tuesday that, based on experience in the team’s system, Feiler will get the first crack at left guard, with young players Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner competing at right tackle.

On defense, veteran Tyson Alualu, who is entering his fourth season with the Steelers, will get the first snaps at nose tackle.

“With the lack of opportunity and learning in the offseason and teaching, we’re acknowledging as a staff that we have to make some quick decisions and roll from there,” Tomlin said.

Wisniewski, a veteran of two Super Bowl championship teams in the past three seasons, apparently will be the backup at both guard spots and at center behind Maurkice Pouncey.

Feiler started one game last year at left guard against the Los Angeles Rams when Foster was injured. His other starts came at right tackle. Feiler, a former undrafted free agent from Bloomsburg, began his career in the Steelers system as an interior lineman.

Okorafor, a third-round draft pick in 2018, has started one game at right tackle in each of the past two seasons. Banner, also entering his third season with the team, was used as a blocking tight end last year in jumbo packages.

Tomlin said the lack of offseason practice — he estimates the Steelers lost 900 snaps because of the shutdown — influenced his decision.

“You’ve got to give the benefit of the doubt to the people that have been here at least as a basis to begin,” he said. “Knowing the process is going to be an abbreviated one, those that have experience and have been a part of this thing probably are going to have a leg up.

“Those young tackles … have been here and have played. A combination of those guys provides the most experience for us.”

Tomlin applied the same approach to nose tackle, which was vacated by Javon Hargrave joining the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. The Steelers traded for Chris Wormley, who primarily is a defensive end.

“Tyson is a veteran football player that has been here and knows how to play the game,” Tomlin said. “He and Dan (McCullers) are going to start. (Alualu) probably will take the first snap. We’ll go from there. We’re going to have a hardcore plan, be light on our feet and be able to adjust to what we see.”

Tomlin’s conference call with reporters was his first since the NFL Draft, which presented a chance for him to update the status of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in his recovery from right elbow surgery.

Roethlisberger began throwing passes to teammates in mid-May, but Tomlin has not personally watched any of the quarterback’s sessions.

“I’ve communicated with him consistently throughout,” Tomlin said. “The medical experts are comfortable with where he is in the rehabilitation process and the overall trajectory of his readiness for 2020. All those things being said, I’m comfortable with where he is.”