NFL
NFL Preseason
PITTSBURGH — Self-inflicted wounds spelled defeat for the Steelers of their second preseason sport, a 17-14 loss to the Buccaneers. There was a roughing the kicker penalty and three interceptions, together with one from Logan Woodside within the closing minutes that helped arrange the Bucs for a game-winning discipline aim.
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Preseason video games aren’t in regards to the outcomes. They’re about younger gamers taking strides and people on the perimeter of the roster making their instances. In that method, the Steelers had encouraging moments on Saturday evening. Right here’s a take a look at the gamers on the rise and those that have their work lower out for them.
First-round decide Derrick Harmon has been as-advertised. His highly effective enjoying type and robust arms might assist the Steelers take a step ahead of their run protection. Simply as importantly, as a result of Harmon led FBS inside defensive linemen in pressures final yr with 55 (per PFF), he has the possibility to be a three-down contributor early.
“He’s had a very good camp,” assistant GM Andy Weidl stated this week. “His explosiveness. His size. His arms — he’s at all times working his arms. Capability to flee blocks in each phases. The vitality comes off the ball with. The explosiveness.”
Harmon, who’s already projected to start out Week 1, flashed that pass-rush prowess on Saturday evening. On third-and-8, Harmon walked again Buccaneers beginning left guard Ben Bredeson and sacked backup QB Kyle Trask. Later, Harmon held his floor to permit Cole Holcomb to suit a niche and cease a ball service for no acquire.
“First sack as a rookie, it felt good,” Harmon stated. “It’s the preseason, so simply able to get that one within the common season.”
.@Steelers‘ first-round decide Derrick Harmon will get to the QB 😤
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/3SpTEnfyJg
— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
On Saturday, rookie working again Kaleb Johnson started to indicate why the Steelers have been excited to draft him within the third spherical. He’s an ideal scheme match after thriving in Iowa’s zone-heavy working scheme. This week, Weidl praised Johnson for his “imaginative and prescient, his instincts, potential to run right into a loaded field and discover a crease.” The rookie confirmed that cut-back imaginative and prescient to interrupt a 14-yard run early within the second quarter.
Kaleb Johnson on taking a step ahead in preseason sport 2 and discovering the cut-back lanes: pic.twitter.com/cKIw6bYlxL
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 17, 2025
Whereas the offensive line hasn’t created many lanes for ball carriers, Johnson’s instincts have been obvious on a handful of runs. Weidl additionally famous that Johnson will get stronger the longer the video games go on. When he will get a daily workload, his highly effective working type might begin to present extra.
“As you possibly can see, Kaleb Johnson is a dude,” proper deal with Troy Fautanu stated. “He’s already a assured man, you possibly can inform. The extra reps he will get, the higher he seems.”
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After a quiet begin to coaching camp, second-year receiver Roman Wilson has begun to hit his stride. In the course of the first quarter alone, he caught two passes for 72 yards. Wilson did most of his work between the numbers in faculty. With good top-end pace, he’s additionally displaying that he might help stretch the sphere vertically on deep crossing routes.
“I do know it killed him having to take a seat out final yr with the harm,” quarterback Mason Rudolph stated. “He’s extraordinarily hungry to get on the market and make performs and show himself. I believe he’s undoubtedly finished that. … From the primary day we threw this previous spring, he’s an explosive man. Very fast off the road. Nice releases. And he’s bought good arms.”
As Calvin Austin III recovers from a chronic absence on account of an belly harm, Wilson has taken benefit of an elevated position. After dropping principally his whole rookie yr to harm, Wilson is beginning to put it collectively.
“He’s had a very good camp,” Tomlin stated. “He’s backed that up with some good in-stadium play. I be ok with the general trajectory of him, however we now have one other sport and a pair extra weeks (earlier than the primary sport). That point is vital for a younger man. He’s bought to maintain his foot on the fuel and preserve working.”
Roman Wilson has 72 receiving yards within the first quarter 😮
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— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Getting back from a devastating 2023 knee harm that price him your complete 2024 season, Holcomb’s job was removed from safe when camp started. Nevertheless, he’s seemed greater than stable. Within the first half, he led the Steelers with 4 tackles. (Undrafted rookie security Sebastian Castro later surpassed him with 5.)
“For me, I have to go on the market and show to all people, your complete NFL, that I can nonetheless play, that I come again simply pretty much as good as I used to be earlier than the harm,” Holcomb stated.
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When the Steelers signed Holcomb forward of the 2023 season, he was forged because the do-everything, three-down inside linebacker. His soccer IQ and well-rounded talent set are nonetheless there, which provides the Steelers one other candidate to name the protection within the occasion of accidents. It’s value noting that when Weidl talked in regards to the inside linebacker depth, Holcomb was one participant he talked about by identify, which tells you he’s within the good graces of the entrance workplace.
Holcomb stated that the harm has helped him respect moments like a preseason sport.
“There are days the place I’m trying again and I’m, like, taking a look at footage. … In that image, I didn’t even suppose my season can be over that week or that sport. So it’s simply, like, you (took) every single day without any consideration. Now I’m appreciative of every day, even when it sucks, even when it’s laborious. I’m simply grateful to have the ability to preserve doing what I like to do.”
Scotty Miller entered coaching camp on the roster’s fringe, however he’s been one among Aaron Rodgers’ favourite targets in coaching camp. As a shifty, veteran route runner, Miller’s enjoying type matches with Rodgers’ fast set off. Miller made two catches for 38 yards within the first half. At this level, it might be a shock if he doesn’t make the staff.
Nick Herbig left the sport early with a hamstring harm. Tomlin stated he’s O.Ok., which is an effective signal for an outdoor linebacker group that’s already lacking Alex Highsmith on account of a groin harm.
D’Shawn Jamison didn’t assist his trigger when he was flagged for roughing the kicker. Nevertheless, he made up for it (to a level) by forcing a fumble late within the sport. He’s a bursty athlete who’s buried too deep on the depth chart to be thought of for the 53-man roster, however he’s had a stable camp and could possibly be a practice-squad candidate. Fan favourite RB/WR Max Hurleman recovered a botched punt and compelled a fumble late within the sport. RB Lew Nichols busted a 37-yard run, one other robust displaying after a stable first preseason sport.
Steelers middle Zach Frazier known as the run sport “sloppy” following Thursday’s joint follow with the Bucs, who allowed the fourth-fewest speeding yards per sport (97.8) and the ninth-fewest yards per carry (4.3) final yr. 4-fifths of the Steelers’ first-team offensive line began and performed a whole quarter on Saturday (at left guard, Spencer Anderson performed rather than Isaac Seumalo).
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Saturday’s efficiency from the first-team offensive line wasn’t a lot better than Thursday’s — not less than after they tried to run it. Kenneth Gainwell was stopped twice for 1-yard beneficial properties. Rudolph additionally needed to escape the pocket when Vita Vea bought strain up the center early within the sport. This mirrors how the offensive line has performed throughout camp when the Steelers placed on the pads for staff run intervals.
Troy Fautanu on the younger OL coming collectively: “We actually need this to work. It has to work. Isaac Williams, our (assistant OL) coach, had stated nobody is coming to save lots of us. That is what we bought.” pic.twitter.com/ye1HZt4zD9
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 17, 2025
Lengthy snapper Christian Kuntz was in a number of ache when he got here off the sphere following a punt. The medical employees examined Kuntz within the tent; he took off his shoulder pads and left the sport with a chest harm.
The lengthy snapper is an ignored place. When snaps aren’t on level, it could possibly throw off the timing of a field-goal try. Tomlin talked about that the Steelers bought some “excellent news,” so it’s potential the harm isn’t as important because it initially appeared.
Theoretically, Robert Woods’ bodily enjoying type and willingness to dam mesh properly with Arthur Smith’s offense. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old receiver has been underwhelming in camp. It positive looks as if he’s been handed by Miller on the depth chart — at this level, Woods could possibly be on the surface trying in on cut-down day. It’s noteworthy that the veteran was enjoying deep into the fourth quarter, when largely gamers on the roster’s fringes are nonetheless on the market.
The Steelers took an aggressive method on offense, repeatedly airing it out early. On their second offensive play from scrimmage, Rudolph focused Wilson on a deep publish, however Bucs DB Zyon McCollum undercut it for an interception.
“The DB made a very good play,” Rudolph stated. “I used to be a little bit bit late to the seam. He simply overlapped in Cowl 3 and made a very good play. I’ve bought to both be faster to the seam or test the ball down.”
Rudolph recovered to finish 3-of-5 passes for 46 yards and a landing (to Brandon Johnson). Nevertheless, ball safety was a deciding issue. Skylar Thompson and Woodside, who was signed after the Will Howard injury, threw interceptions as properly.
(Picture of Derrick Harmon: Charles LeClaire / Imagn Pictures)
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Mike DeFabo is a employees author overlaying the Pittsburgh Steelers for The Athletic. Previous to becoming a member of The Athletic, he spent three years on the Pittsburgh Publish-Gazette as a Penguins beat author, three years overlaying Purdue soccer and basketball for CNHI and one season following the Michigan State basketball staff to the 2019 Remaining 4 for the Lansing State Journal. Mike is a local of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the proud house of Steelers coaching camp, and graduated from American College in Washington, D.C. Observe Mike on Twitter @MikeDeFabo
