Stock up, stock down among Steelers after preseason-opening loss

The final score of Friday’s preseason game at Acrisure Stadium read: Houston Texans 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 12.

But the teams weren’t necessarily the real winners or losers. Here are some more specific of each for the Steelers as they reconvene for training camp at Saint Vincent College:

Stock up

Payton Wilson: Talk about making a good first impression. On his first two snaps, he made the tackle. And in a show of how versatile he can be as a rookie, Wilson made those stops on special teams (punt coverage) and a running play.

The speedy Wilson earned the start at right inside linebacker versus Houston, albeit because veteran Patrick Queen was held out of the game by coach Mike Tomlin. But Wilson, a third-round pick, makes plays almost daily at Saint Vincent. And his playmaking was evident “in the stadium” — as Tomlin would say — Friday.

On the Steelers’ first defensive snap, Wilson got into the backfield to stop Texans running back Dameon Pierce for a 1-yard loss.

Wilson’s effort was far from perfect — he was beaten in coverage at least twice — but he finished with a game-high six tackles and tied for the most solo stops on either team with four.

Jeremiah Moon: From a selfish perspective, Moon’s good day began a few hours before kickoff when the Steelers announced Markus Golden’s retirement. Golden had been signed last week, purportedly to serve as the No. 4 outside linebacker, the spot Moon seemed to be in “pole position” to land for the start of the regular season.

Favorite status to earn that gig now defaults back to Moon. But just in case, the lanky outside linebacker performed well in his Steelers in-game debut. Moon’s five tackles were second most on the team, and he had a fourth-quarter sack of Case Keenum.

Incidentally, the Steelers’ other top backups to the standout OLB duo of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith also had strong games. Kyron Johnson had three tackles, including a late tackle for loss on an end-around. Nick Herbig — solidly No. 3 on the depth chart — had a pressure and QB hit early in the first half.

Backup running backs: Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren make up one of the top RB pairings in the NFL. But the Steelers have a battle for who can serve as their No. 3. Virtually across the board, the Steelers’ other running backs had good day.

As with Moon, it began before the game when Cordarrelle Patterson was activated off the non-football injury list. Patterson suffered a hamstring injury while training over the summer.

If healthy, Patterson is a lock to make the season-opening 53-man roster, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will play any or much running back. Patterson was signed primarily for kickoff return duties, and a handful of others could nudge ahead of him on the offensive depth chart.

Against the Texans, rookie Daijun Edwards had a 24-yard run and a 1-yard touchdown among three carries. Veteran Jonathan Ward had a 20-yard carry, a 5-yard reception and a special-teams tackle. That last aspect is notable for someone seeking a gig as an RB4.

Aaron Shampklin and La’Mical Perine have had nice camps. On Friday, Shampklin had two carries for 12 yards and three receptions. Perine had five touches.

Stock down

Quez Watkins: If Watkins entered the summer in the running for a prominent gig among the wide receivers corps, he has been lapped by the likes of Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Roman Wilson and Scotty Miller (among others) at Saint Vincent. But Watkins’ ace in the hole was that he was a primary option as the punt returner.

Well, knowing how much Tomlin (like all coaches) despises turnovers, it’s safe to say Watkins did little to help his cause when he muffed a second-quarter punt. Watkins’ other punt return opportunity was a fair catch, and he was not targeted on offense.

Nate Herbig: Herbig has taken virtually every first-team rep at center throughout organized team activities, minicamp and training camp. But second-round pick Zach Frazier looms. Herbig can’t afford any miscues if he is to hold off Frazier, so a pair of botched snaps to Justin Fields during the first quarter do not reflect well on him.

Whether either was actually his fault, Herbig gamely took full blame for the fumbles (neither was lost), which should earn him points with Fields and the rest of his teammates and coaches.

On whole, Herbig has had a solid camp. But, like Watkins, a lack of ball security is a cardinal sin that’s difficult to overcome.

Jack Colletto: New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has more of an affinity for fullback usage than his predecessor, lending credence to the idea the Steelers might roster a pure fullback in 2024 after a one-year hiatus. As the lone true fullback on the camp roster, Colletto, of course, is the safest bet to open the season on the 53-man if they do elect to keep one.

But Colletto’s first big chance in his first game audition at the position for the Steelers? It was a dud.

Colletto was on the field for a second-and-goal snap from the Houston 2 in the second quarter. Out of an I-formation with Colletto as the lead blocker, Perine was stopped short of the goal line. On similar play call on the next snap, Ward lost a yard running behind Colletto.

Whether Colletto was to blame for either, it wasn’t a good look for a player desperate to make the team.