Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers continue to adjust to altered training camp at Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to adjust to Training Camp 2020 at Heinz Field. Adjustments seem to be one of the big themes of camp this season. It’s something head coach Mike Tomlin has preached, and it’s a message the players have really taken to heart.

With the virtual offseason, shortened camp and lack of preseason games, the players and coaches continue to work through the challenge of bringing intensity, while facing only their teammates on a daily basis. Channel 11′s Jenna Harner asked cornerback Joe Haden how the team is finding that balance.

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“Once you put the pads on, the competitive juices, they always get flowing,” said Haden. “But at the same time, we know we need them, and they know that they need us. So just kind of taking off a little bit when you need to, but at the same time we are still battling. But we just want to make sure we get everybody through healthy.”

The team is also preparing for the possibility of playing in empty stadiums come next month. Tight end Vance McDonald provided some interesting insight about how the lack of fans could affect players.

“You’re going to have players that really suffer from that, because they rely on that excitement,” said McDonald. “They rely on that momentum from the stadium, and the crowd and fans. And then you have other players that it’s just gonna allow them to play in such an objective space because literally all they’re thinking about is the man in front of them, they’re not having a fight noise, this and that.”

David DeCastro, Al Villanueva, Joe Haden and Eric Ebron all received a veterans day off on Tuesday. Rookie Kevin Dotson went down with a knee injury and was helped off the field by QB Ben Roethlisberger. Dax Raymond suffered an ankle injury. After practice, Tomlin said Dotson and Raymond were both being further evaluated.

From the pool report, rookie WR Chase Claypool continues to impress. Roethlisberger and Claypool connected a handful of times, and in individual drills, on Claypool’s first catch of the day, Roethlisberger yelled great pass. The players have also continued to praise Roethlisberger throughout camp.

“This is the most I’ve ever seen Ben in terms of his hunger for winning a championship,” said McDonald. “The way he attacks the day is just different than I’ve seen him since I get here in 2017. I’m loving the leadership from him. I’m loving just that hunger and that fire. I think if you will notice that trickle down to the entire offense as you see us getting rocking and rolling here.”

Linebacker TJ Watt and offensive tackle Zach Banner engaged in a couple of “close disagreements,” according to the pool report.

Rookie linebacker Alex Highsmith reportedly showed well during the backs-on-backers drill, and earned some praise from Tomlin.