Steelers notebook: Nick Herbig, Christian Kuntz leave preseason game because of injury

Despite coach Mike Tomlin’s apparent attempts to shield him from injury, outside linebacker Nick Herbig was the first Pittsburgh Steelers player to leave Saturday’s preseason game because of one.

Herbig left the game after the Steelers’ second defensive series because of a hamstring injury.

There was no immediate update on the degree of severity of the injury.

Herbig was the only non-starter held out of the Steelers preseason opener last week in Jacksonville. Even against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, it appeared Herbig was limited initially to specific situations. During the first drive, Herbig came on only on a third-and-long — an indication Tomlin wanted him only taking part in pass-rush reps.

Another player to leave during the first quarter was long snapper Christian Kuntz, who suffered a chest injury during a punt. Kuntz was in pain on the sidelines and went into the medical tent briefly before retreating to the locker room.

With Kuntz out, defensive lineman Logan Lee handled long snapping duties. Lee did long snapping in high school and has been spotted practicing as a long snapper during training camp.

Others out with injury

At least eight Steelers players did not suit up Saturday because of injury: outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), receivers Calvin Austin III (abdominal) and Ben Skowronek (undisclosed), cornerbacks Donte Kent (foot/ankle) and Cory Trice (hamstring), offensive linemen Calvin Anderson (lower-body) and Ryan McCollum (undisclosed) and quarterback Will Howard (hand).

Howard, a rookie sixth-round pick, was on the field before the game doing drills.

Healthy starters who were held out by Tomlin included quarterback Aaron Rodgers, receiver DK Metcalf, running back Jaylen Warren, tight ends Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith, guard Isaac Seumalo, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cam Heyward, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerbacks Darius Slay, Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey and safety DeShon Elliott.

Mason Rudolph started at quarterback and played only two series. The starters on the offensive line — the regular first team, plus Spencer Anderson in at left guard for Seumalo — played until the end of the first quarter, which ended amidst the Steelers’ third offensive possession.

Many of those who started on defense played deep into the second quarter, including veteran defensive backs Chuck Clark, Brandin Echols and James Pierre and rookies Derrick Harmon and Jack Sawyer.

Harmon had a sack late in the first quarter, bringing down Kyle Trask.

Boz kicks

Unlike during the opener in Jacksonville, kicker Chris Boswell was in uniform and played Saturday. Boswell, who is reportedly staging a so-called “hold in,” handled the opening kickoff.

Though Boswell has declined to comment, he reportedly is seeking a raise. He’s been at practices daily throughout training camp, but typically it has been rookie Ben Sauls who was kicking after team portions of practice started each day.

Also “holding in” while seeking a sweetened contract, Heyward was not in uniform. He and Watt watched in street clothes but were wearing communication headsets on the sidelines.

Bucs WR injured on hard hit

Buccaneers receiver Jalen McMillan suffered what was termed a back injury and entered evaluation for a concussion after he was hit hard by Steelers rookie cornerback Daryl Porter early in the first quarter.

Porter made hard — but legal — contact on McMillan as he was thrown an incomplete pass by Teddy Bridgewater. Medical and training personnel attended to McMillan on the field for several moments before he walked off the field.

Return man

While providing the disclaimer that reading too much into preseason reps is a perilous act, it could be interpreted as notable that rookie Ke’Shawn Williams again handled the punt return role throughout the first half.

A caveat exists that Austin and Kent did not play. They also did not play against the Jaguars last week, when Williams returned two punts.

Tomlin has said Austin will retain punt-return duties this season. The Steelers were rather open that Kent was drafted in the seventh round, in part, because of his return abilities. But Williams getting a look in game play could indicate the undrafted rookie has a shot at the season-opening roster.

Veterans Scotty Miller and Robert Woods and rookie Max Hurleman also have been in the lines for punt returns when punts are practiced during training camp.

Williams totaled 32 yards on four returns in the first half Saturday. He had a touchdown reception in Jacksonville last week.