2025 Steelers Training Camp Takeaways No.4: Critical starter injured, big fight ensues, and a change in the QB pecking order
Sunday marked the last day of Week 1 of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. The next time the team takes the field, it will be with pads, on Tuesday. Before we get there, however, let's take a look at everything of note from day four of Steelers training camp practice in Latrobe… Offensive Takeaways What it means No […]
Sunday marked the last day of Week 1 of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.
The next time the team takes the field, it will be with pads, on Tuesday.
Before we get there, however, let's take a look at everything of note from day four of Steelers training camp practice in Latrobe…
Offensive Takeaways
- LT Broderick Jones leaves 7 Shots after getting his lower body looked at. Sits out individual drills and is replaced by Dylan Cook for the rest of the practice
- Rookie TE/FB DJ Thomas-Jones injures ankle
- RT Troy Fautanu was yanked from 7 Shots after a false start
- WR Roman Wilson continues to work outside, opposed to the slot
- Rookie QB Will Howard receives first team reps in 7on7
What it means
No one player will have a bigger impact on the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense, and frankly, the team in general, than Broderick Jones. He needs not only to be urpight, but to be good. Mike Tomlin said both Jones and WR Montana Lemonious-Craig have soft tissue injuries, while DJ Thomas-Jones seems to have one that is a little more severe.
Similar to what happened with Zach Frazier yesterday, the Steelers are proving they have no time for growing pains after pulling Troy Fautanu on Sunday. Fautanu and Frazier may only be second-year players, but the team needs them to perform like seasoned professionals.
It's been interesting to see the alignment of the WRs in Pittsburgh through the first four days of practice, as Roman Wilson has dominated the outside role compared to Calvin Austin, who is playing the slot.
After making some nice plays in practice yesterday, Will Howard took some first-team reps in the team's 7on7 period on Sunday. The arrow contimues to point up for the sixth rounder.
Defensive Takeaways
- Defense wins 7 shots 4-3
- Cole Holcomb and Ryan McCollum get into scrum and go to the ground
- Rookie Yayha Black has multiple pass breakups on Mason Rudolph
What it means
The first four practices in Pittsburgh were dominated by the defense. The same proved true on Sunday as the team won 7 Shots yet again. We'll see if that changes when the pads come on next week.
While the real fights will probably start in the dog days of camp, the Steelers had their first big scrum in Latrobe on Sunday, and it featured Cole Holcomb and center Ryan McCollum.
Continuing the trend of rookies making an impact, Yahya Black helped set that tone on Sunday with multiple pass breakups at the line of scrimmage against Mason Rudolph. Tough to ask for a better start to camp than what the Steelers' rookies put forth.
![Dec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. ]](https://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/99857-usatsi_24886683-1.jpg)
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