Steelers inside the ropes: After another rough 1st snap, Aaron Rodgers connects with top targets

In his first live, 11-on-11 practice rep with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, Aaron Rodgers threw an interception.

For his first rep on Day 2 on Steelers training camp, Rodgers was the recipient of a bad snap.

That’s OK. The 21-year veteran recovered and showed some of that four-time NFL MVP form.

The first snap of the “seven shots” 2-point conversion simulation Friday was too low from Zach Frazier, resulting in a loss of yards as Rodgers scrambled to pick up the ball. But Rodgers bounced back nicely on snap No. 2, hitting DK Metcalf on a precise quick out route inside the left pylon. Later, Rodgers connected with Pat Freiermuth to the right side on the final snap of the opening drill.

Though in between was a misconnection with Metcalf to the right side (with Joey Porter Jr. in coverage), Rodgers seemed to have a better overall day in the second practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College.

Twice during subsequent 11-on-11 drills, Rodgers connected with Calvin Austin III for significant gains. One went for more than 20 yards when Rodgers hit a sprinting Austin in stride as he found a soft spot between Porter and Juan Thornhill.

• During other “seven shots” reps, Mason Rudolph connected on a quick pass to Scotty Miller but threw incomplete to rookie Ke’Shawn Williams on a throw under the crossbar as Williams sprinted across the back of the end zone. Coverage was good on the play; Rudolph might have been sacked in a more live situation.

• Of note was that rookie Will Howard was the third quarterback in, albeit Skylar Thompson later in practice did enter before Howard after Rodgers and Rudolph. Howard could not connect with Brandon Johnson with Cory Trice guarding him along the right side of the end zone, but he did complete what was a nice catch by rookie tight end JJ Galbreath at the goal line.

• During the practice cut short by weather, there were no obvious changes in personnel for the first-team offense and defense. The second-team offense for the most part featured Rudolph, rookie Kaleb Johnson and/or Kenneth Gainwell at running back; wide receivers Miller, Robert Woods, Ben Skowronek, etc.; and an offensive line of Max Scharping at center, Dylan Cook and Calvin Anderson at tackle, Doug Nester and a “double-shifting” Spencer Anderson as guards. Backup center Ryan McCollum remains out because of an undisclosed injury.

• The second-team defense featured outside linebackers Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer, defensive linemen Daniel Ekuale, Isaiahh Loudermilk and rookie Derrick Harmon, inside linebackers Cole Holcomb and Malik Harrison, cornerbacks Trice and Brandin Echols and safeties Miles Killebrew and Sebastian Castro.

• Johnson again had a “varsity” day, making a nifty catch while running out of the backfield on a flip from Rodgers as well as later showing speed to get to the corner on a run.

• Williams, an undrafted rookie receiver, showed an ability to get wide open for one rep — but dropped the pass.

• Converted defensive lineman DeMarvin Leal continues to play outside linebacker. He was even deployed in coverage at least once, on rookie fullback/tight end DJ Thomas-Jones.

• The longest attempted pass of this early portion of camp came when Rudolph targeted Lance McCutcheon about 50 yards down the middle of the field. Echols broke it up.

• Another long pass that was broken up was from Rudolph to Woods. Trice made sure it wasn’t completed.

• On the final rep before the Steelers called off the practice, rookie Donte Kent showed some closing ability to knock down a pass headed for the hands of Galbreath on an out route. The play might have exhibited the limitations in the arm strength of Thompson.