There are depth jobs to be won at wide receiver and running back during this Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. A pair of seemingly-forgotten veterans are making their cases to claim those spots.

Wide receiver Anthony Miller and running back Anthony McFarland likely entered camp with less than 50/50 odds of making the season-opening 53-man roster. But Miller is making a case to be an option as the slot receiver (and perhaps punt returner), and McFarland had a pair of big plays Thursday that show the potential the Steelers saw in him when they made him a fourth-round pick two years ago.

McFarland had a 70-yard run into the end zone during an 11-on-11 drill that featured a deft cutback as he weaved through defenders down the right sideline. Later, McFarland also showed good ball skills as a receiver when he leaped to nab a ball along the sideline with linebacker Myles Jack closely guarding him.

Miller early in a team drill held onto a catch despite Justin Layne being so draped over him that Layne was flagged by the officials on hand for pass interference. For it, Miller (who wears No. 17) earned plaudits from the head coach: “Nice catch, 1-7!” Mike Tomlin said.

Later, during what ended up being the final team period (lightning cut short practice 11 reps of 11-on-11 short), it was Miller’s position coach who was openly singing his praises. Wide receivers coach Frisman Jackson “woo”-ed and pumped his fist toward Miller after Miller again showed strong hands in making a catch off a pass from Mason Rudolph in 11-on-11.

Jackson, incidentally, is among the coaching staff’s more excitable and vocal members during practices. Also notable on what was a day that approached 90 degrees in Unity: Jackson wore a black hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants. Kenny Pickett had only one rep (the last one) in the early-practice “seven shots” 2-point conversion simulation drill, but he produced the best throw when he lofted a perfect ball to Cody White near the back pylon. Each of the three quarterbacks directed one score in seven shots, albeit while Pickett did it in his only snap, Mitch Trubisky needed four and Rudolph two. The first play was a quick scoring throw from Trubisky to George Pickens, and it was four consecutive “wins” for the defense later before Rudolph connected with tight end Jace Sternberger in the end zone. Failed snaps for the offense came in the form of a high throw from Trusbisky through the back of the end zone, a run from Benny Snell that gained only a yard (and was flagged for holding anyway), a dropped interception by Cameron Sutton of Trubisky and a fade from Rudolph to Miles Boykin that went off his fingertips and out of bounds. Is Trubisky beginning to show signs of frustration? During the final full series he directed, a 7-on-7 starting from about the defense’s 25 yard-line, Trubisky went 0 for 4 passing. After the final missed connection, Trubisky took off his helmet and held it in his right hand as he thrust that arm downward toward the ground. While the topic of the Steelers needing to improve their running back depth endures from observers, Snell quietly has gone about his business while holding onto the No. 2 RB spot. Tomlin complimented him to media after practice, and during it he yelled out, “Nice run, nice run,” after a 6-yard carry over left guard in which Snell kept his legs churning for yardage. A little later, Snell showed some speed in turning the corner on a sweep to the right side, drawing a excited cheer from injured Najee Harris from the sideline. But Snell had the ball swatted out of his hands by Ahkello Withersoon. It flew harmlessly out of bounds, though. Harris at one point grabbed the camera from a Steelers photographer and playfully took photos of her, an official on hand and other staffers. Then, when some in the crowd began chanting his name, Harris began snapping pictures of the bleachers at Chuck Noll Field. Harris even at one point asked for them to perform The Wave. The star of the day Tuesday, undrafted rookie running back Jaylen Warren on Thursday was closer to the goat. He fumbled during one team period and later dropped a quick bubble-screen pass. A punt coverage drill was approached with much gusto, particularly by veteran Arthur Maulet during at least one rep. While Maulet was on the coverage team he engaged James Pierre and screamed “Get in his eyes! Get in his eyes!” The drill featured a machine-lobbed simulated punt, three men on the coverage team with three players to block them behind the one returner. With that obvious advantage relative to true game play, the returners often broke free.

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