Roman Wilson stuns, Kaleb Johnson comes to life, OL concerns, and more Steelers takeaways from preseason Week 2 vs. Buccaneers
The big takeaways from Week 2’s preseason matchup with the Bucs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers copied their Week 1 preseason trend by not playing most of their starters against the Buccaneers.
Getting the first teamers’ valuable reps earlier in the week via a joint practice, Saturday night was reserved for rookies and other young players to make a statement.
They did…
Roman Wilson with big time catches
Wilson only caught two passes in the first half, both of which came in the first quarter, yet he totaled 72 yards. A 42-yard post route where he got behind the defense was followed up by a 30-yard over route near the sideline.
With Calvin Austin III missing practice for the last two weeks, Roman Wilson has assumed the WR No.2 role and he’s thrived. Building rapport with Aaron Rodgers in practice and then making plays in stadium with Skylar Thompson and Mason Rudolph has his arrow pointing up.
Enough to keep the Steelers out of the WR market? We’ll see what his Week 3 performance has to say about that question.
Kaleb Johnson comes to life
It’s no secret that the rookie RB has struggled mightily to this point of the season. Whether it was the physicality of camp or the timid nature he had in last week’s debut, there just has not been a lot to write home about, until Saturday night.
Johnson would follow that up with a nice nine-yard catch and then an improved rep in pass protection, when compared to his prior experiences, and he had a solid second half. What’s odd about that, is all of Johnson’s notable plays came with the second and third team OL. He didn’t take a rep with the first team offensive line and when he has in the past, it hasn’t been pretty.
But that might say more about that group than it does Johnson right now…
Steelers 1st team OL continues to struggle in run blocking
Whether it’s been camp, joint practices, or preseason games, the line just hasn’t been able to create enough holes in the run game. There is very little denting of the defensive line. You haven’t seen a ton of push off the ball.
The tackle duo that is so critical to the Steelers’ offensive play in 2025 has been solid in pass pro, but as coach Tomlin said at the half, the unit has to be better when it comes to rushing.
Other Takeaways
- Juan Thornhill TFL first play of game
- Cole Holcomb TFL second play of game
- Mason Rudolph INT
- Keeanu Benton PBU second series
- D’Shawn Jamison roughing the kicker
- Payton Wilson loses 1v1 on TD grab from Bucs
- Nick Herbig exits with hamstring injury
- LS Christian Kuntz injured
- Zach Frazier’s low snaps continue
- WR Max Hurleman drops a TD
- WR Brandon Johnson TD catch and tackle on kickoff after
- DL Derrick Harmon run stuff, then bull rushes for first sack
Pittsburgh Steelers News
Recent injury could create an opening for the Steelers to make a trade that would solve the WR issue once and for all
It might be time to go back to the well.
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