Each day of Steelers training camp, the Trib rounds up some things to pay attention to during practice at Saint Vincent:
WHAT TO WATCH
End of the road: The 54th consecutive season of the Steelers training at Saint Vincent will conclude with the team practicing without pads. It is the final tuneup before the Steelers play their second preseason game. Following the game Saturday, the Steelers will reconvene at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex for the remaining practices of the preseason.
Who is under center?: Coach Mike Tomlin hinted that the team’s younger players will get the bulk of the work against Kansas City, and that likely will hold true at quarterback. Ben Roethlisberger typically doesn’t play until the third preseason game. That means Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph figure to get plenty of reps Thursday in preparation for the game. Since Dobbs started the opener against Tampa Bay, don’t be surprised if Rudolph gets the nod against Kansas City.
Snapping up the snaps: Tomlin said center Maurkice Pouncey, who hasn’t practiced in 10 days, would get some work Thursday, although that likely will be limited to individual drills. The other veterans dealing with injuries (David DeCastro, Joe Haden) might be rested for the final camp practice. The availability of draft picks Devin Bush, Zach Gentry and, to a lesser extent, Sutton Smith will bear watching. Bush and Gentry each missed their first practice of camp Wednesday. Smith has been dealing with a longer-term injury and needs to get back on the field soon if he hopes to make the 53-man roster.
Practice time: 2:55-5 p.m., Chuck Noll Field
