Steelers' starter has a selfish reason for not practicing
As excited as fans are to see the Pittsburgh Steelers return to the field, it's not all sunshine and rainbows at training camp. Part of the process is getting players into football shape, which is much different than just high-level conditioning. So when one starter was asked about his timetable to return from injury, he […]
As excited as fans are to see the Pittsburgh Steelers return to the field, it's not all sunshine and rainbows at training camp.
Part of the process is getting players into football shape, which is much different than just high-level conditioning.
So when one starter was asked about his timetable to return from injury, he gave a brutally honest, but honorable answer:
Damontae Kazee: "I have to do what's best for me"
Pittsburgh Steelers starting strong safety Damontae Kazee hasn't practiced since the weekend when he suffered an ankle injury that left him in a walking boot. But today Kazee watched from the sidelines, yet the boot was gone, lending credence to something he said on Sunday:
"Is it about being overly cautious so that you can make it for the long haul?" A reporter asked about him not practicing.
"Not really," answered Kazee. "But still, I still have to produce good film. I won't put bad tape on film, so I have to do what's best for me at the end of the day. I could practice on Tuesday if I wanted to, but I have to slow down."
So while that answer may come off as self-centered, the truth is, that's the only viable response from Kazee.
For one, he has the upper hand on offseason acquisition Keanu Neal when it comes to strong safety, but the incumbent veteran is still firmly entrenched in a camp battle. An early return could see him miss more time, losing his job all together.
Beyond that, All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has yet to practice in Latrobe as he currently is dealing with personal matters. That means the safety group is thin right now, and Kazee rushing back doesn't only hurt himself, but the prospects of the Steelers' secondary in 2023.
Kazee was playing a big role before he went down, logging snaps at both safety spots and nickel, while showing he was up to his former NFL interception leading ways again:
Kazee is doing what's best for him and rightfully so. What all of the 2023 rookie class will soon learn (if they haven't already) is that the NFL is a business, with teams and players acting accordingly.
So while his words may have been sharp to the ear, a healthy Kazee will be a sight for sore eyes in September.
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Featured image via: © Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
