Steelers notebook: All healthy starters make appearance, most play 2 series

The starting lineup on offense for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason game Saturday was very likely (assuming no injuries) to be the most-used group of 11 when the regular-season starts. They played two series.

On defense, veteran defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi did not play because of a foot injury. Montravius Adams subbed for him as the No. 2 defensive lineman alongside Cameron Heyward. Aside from that, there were no surprises among the starters, with Chandon Sullivan in the nickel/slot and Damontae Kazee starting at strong safety.

Patrick Peterson moved into the slot with Joey Porter Jr. making his NFL debut on the outside when the Steelers went to a dime package early on. Keanu Neal was a third safety deployed during that situation. Kwon Alexander came in for Elandon Roberts at inside linebacker in passing situations.

The full first-team defense played two series. For the Bills’ third possession, veterans Heyward, Peterson, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick were done for the evening.

Longest since…

Jaylen Warren had a 62-yard touchdown run. The Steelers have not had a touchdown rush of that long in almost 19 years. Willie Parker had a 80-yard touchdown during a Christmas Eve 2004 game at the Cleveland Browns. The Steelers haven’t had a run as long as 62 yards — whether it resulted in a touchdown or not — in a regular-season game since Le’Veon Bell had an 81-yard rush Sept. 21, 2014, at the Carolina Panthers.

Calvin Austin III had a 54-yard punt return during the first quarter Saturday. The Steelers haven’t had a punt return that long during the regular season since Oct. 25, 2020 (Ray-Ray McCloud, 57 yards).

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