Mike Tomlin likes to use the term “varsity reps” for when his proven, high-profile players are taking part in a drill.
Borrowing that phraseology, Thursday’s Pittsburgh Steelers training-camp practice was a lot of “JV.”
T.J. Watt, Cameron Heyward, Alex Highsmith, Allen Robinson, Isaac Seumalo, Keanu Neal and Diontae Johnson were among the veteran starting-caliber players who either sat out or were limited during the workout at Saint Vincent College that precedes Friday’s annually anticipated practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium.
Mike Tomlin’s opening remarks after the 7th practice of Steelers training camp pic.twitter.com/kafcTE4bXG
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) August 3, 2023
The heat is (back) on
After Tuesday and Wednesday practices during which temperatures did not reach 80 degrees, Thursday’s temperatures were back into the mid-80s under humid conditions.
“Appreciate the heat, man,” Tomlin said. “Heat is a component of team development. We get to know them more. They get to know themselves more when fatigue sets in, in terms of quality of execution and detail and communication and things of that nature. So we welcome the muggy conditions.”
Thursday — the seventh practice of camp — still did not see heat like the Steelers experienced during the first few practices last week when temperatures in Western Pennsylvania were into the 90s.
No pads
The Steelers were back in shells with many players in shorts Thursday, a quick reprieve from the physical padded practices Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Opportunity to focus on some things that maybe are not pad related,” Tomlin said. “Some coverage related things, linebackers working together in combination versus backs and tight ends.”
The Steelers always have donned the pads for the “Friday Night Lights” practice.
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here
