Mike Tomlin anticipates fully healthy roster for camp, explains decision for morning practices

The best guess in explaining the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to move most of their training-camp practices from their late-afternoon spot to mid-morning was that it was weather-related.

Mike Tomlin threw cold water on that heat-related theory.

“Let’s not overanalyze it,” Tomlin said when it was suggested to him that he took into consideration the hottest part of mid-summer days.

So why exactly did Tomlin elect to start weekday camp practices at Saint Vincent at 10:30 a.m. in lieu of the 1:55 p.m. or 2:55 p.m. start times that had been typical throughout the previous 17 seasons of his tenure?

“Just want to give (players) more time to interact with the fans post-practice while at the same time taking care of their bodies and rehydrating and still having an appetite for dinner,” Tomlin said after the final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “Under the latest schedule, those things that I described get a little cramped, and we just want to create an environment where we keep the group upright and working.”

Steelers players are required to report to their Unity Township dorms by July 24, with the first practice the following day on Chuck Noll Field at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday practices the first two weekends are scheduled to start at 1:55 p.m., with the final weekend practice of camp, Sunday Aug. 11, slated to begin at 2:55 p.m.

All healthy

Tomlin gave a characteristically short reply when asked if he anticipated any of his 90 players will not be ready for that aforementioned next practice July 25 because of health/injury reasons.

“I don’t,” Tomlin said.

If that’s true, that would mean players such as inside linebacker Cole Holcomb, running back Najee Harris, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, safety Trenton Thompson, utility player Cordarrelle Patterson and others known to have sat out organized team activities and/or minicamp sessions for reasons purportedly related to health will be ready to go by the time things ramp up at Saint Vincent.

Of that group, Holcomb is the most notable because he is a starter and remains in recovery from surgery related to a major knee injury suffered last November.