Brooke Pryor
PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers' debut as a Pittsburgh Steeler in Acrisure Stadium will not come within the preseason.
The quarterback, together with veterans together with DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith, T.J. Watt, and Cam Heyward, will not take part within the workforce's second preseason sport towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coach Mike Tomlin mentioned Thursday.
“I'll play this preseason sport very very like we did the primary one,” Tomlin mentioned. “By way of participation, the identical assortment of fellows that had been held out the final time will comprise the fellows which can be held out this time.”
Mason Rudolph began the primary preseason sport towards the Jaguars and performed two collection earlier than being changed by Skylar Thompson. Thompson performed the remainder of the sport till the ultimate drive of the fourth quarter when Logan Woodside took over for 3 performs.
Tomlin added that third-year edge rusher Nick Herbig, who did not play towards Jacksonville, might see some snaps Saturday evening, however that relied on the standard of his work in Thursday's joint follow towards the Buccaneers.
Tomlin demurred when requested if Rodgers' preseason work can be restricted to the joint follow towards the Bucs — an train Rodgers mentioned he favored as a result of defenses had been “much less vanilla” than in preseason video games.
“I will take care of subsequent week, subsequent week,” Tomlin mentioned. “Good attempt.”
Tomlin beforehand hinted to the workforce web site that he may maintain the 41-year-old quarterback out during the preseason video games.
“You could be taking a look at one in 2025,” Tomlin advised Bob Labriola of Steelers.com final week, when requested about NFL coaches who do not play their quarterbacks in any respect within the preseason. “Hey, this man has been doing this for 21 years. His cumulative snap complete and what's required for him to be prepared is totally different than others. And so if I am not adaptable and open to changes relative to the wants of our guys, then I am not doing my job.”
