Steelers inside the ropes: 2-minute drill 'situational football' a highlight to end practice

One of the highest-profile and most interesting to watch of any drill at training camp is the 2-minute simulation the Pittsburgh Steelers will end practices with on occasion. Thursday was its first appearance during this camp.

In mock scenarios in which the offense took over at its own 47-yard line with 1 minute, 33 seconds left, the first- and second-team offenses went down the field to score. It should be noted, though, that coach Mike Tomlin acted as czar of proceedings and made some edicts that tilted the advantage to the offense.

The first-teamers, for instance, benefited when T.J. Watt let up after approaching Justin Fields. As Watt stood down, Fields moved around outside the pocket and made a completion. (Thursday was a non-padded practice with no tackling, albeit quarterbacks are off-limits regardless). Watt even went so far as to do a half-hearted kick as per his sack celebration even as the play proceeded.

The second-team offense similarly was the beneficiary of a sack not being a sack when Willington Previlon swatted the ball out of Kyle Allen’s hands for a “strip sack.” But in the interest of keeping the drill moving along, Tomlin declared “roughing the passer” and moved the ball up 15 yards with a first down.

The touchdown with the starters playing came on a precisely zipped pass from Fields to George Pickens, who leaped up just under the goal posts over Patrick Queen and held onto the ball to complete the catch. Queen briefly pleaded for an offensive pass interference flag to no avail while Pickens and offensive teammates celebrated demonstratively.

The score by the second-teamers was caught by receiver Jaray Jenkins in front of cornerback Kyle McMichael after the ball was tipped by safety Ryan Watts.

• In addition to the touchdown, Pickens had the other highlight reception among the starters, coming back for a contested catch against Anthony Averett. But in addition to Watt’s sack/non-sack, Nick Herbig and DeMarvin Leal were among the pressures of Fields.

• Allen had overthrows on long attempts to receivers Duece Watts and Scotty Miller. His best throw was into the waiting hands of massive tight end Darnell Washington (who had a half-step on Ryan Watts) that got the offense inside the 5.

• The final two snaps were from inside the 5, compelling Tomlin to loudly remark, “Seven shots football!” That was in reference to the drill that always begins the team portion of practice. And Thursday’s 2-point conversion simulation was a 5-2 win for the defense, in which the starters split four reps: The scores came when Fields hit Washington (who was in front of Elandon Roberts) and Van Jefferson (who’d beaten Donte Jackson on a slant). But Fields missed on attempts to Jaylen Warren in the corner of the end zone and when Jefferson could not handle a pass. Allen misfired to tight end MyCole Pruitt, had a pass batted down by a rushing Mark Robinson and, on his first snap, hit running back Aaron Shampklin, but Shampklin was stopped short of the goal line.

• The first live kickoff drills of camp featured Warren, Shampklin, Miller, No. 4 quarterback John Rhys Plumlee and receivers Calvin Austin III and Quez Watkins as the most-used returners.

• Those on both the top kickoff coverage and return teams (which can provide a clue as to who on the margins is in the lead for a roster spot) included Miles Killebrew, Tyler Matakevich, Payton Wilson, Beanie Bishop and Jeremiah Moon.

• A skirmish erupted for a second consecutive day. This time it was ignited by reserve interior lineman Anderson Hardy and rookie defensive lineman Logan Lee but quickly escalated when Leal stepped in. Rookie outside linebacker Julius Welschof also was in the middle of things. Humorously, after Leal and Hardy rolled on the ground and players gathered in a minor melee, the officials on hand threw flags into the air. After they landed, Joey Porter Jr. was among the players who picked up the flags and playfully re-tossed them into the air.

• A personnel/scheme deployment that raised eyebrows Thursday was when the first-team defense put three outside linebackers (and only one defensive lineman) onto the field for some passing plays. Watt and Alex Highsmith held their traditional spots on the edge, but OLB3 Herbig was lined up on the left side just inside of Watt.

• The offense continued to rep plenty of screen passes. Queen repeatedly shows he’s a screen “eraser,” often using his speed to blow up screen passes at or behind the line of scrimmage.

• His signing announced 10 minutes after the scheduled start of practice, veteran Markus Golden had several teammates approach him throughout the session for a hug or handshake. The outside linebacker had spent his ninth NFL season with the Steelers in 2023.