The Pittsburgh Steelers’ preseason loss to Tampa Bay on Saturday night was not a major concern, given that several top players were held out. However, the team’s coaching staff did have an opportunity to assess some younger players looking to make an impact.
Second-year wide receiver Roman Wilson, who was limited to five snaps last season due to injuries, showed significant improvement in his preseason debut. Wilson caught four passes for 96 yards, including a 30-yard catch-and-run on the final play of the first quarter. His performance suggests that he is on track to be a key contributor this season.
Defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and running back Kaleb Johnson also had notable performances. Harmon recorded a sack on Tampa’s quarterback Kyle Trask in the second quarter, while Johnson ran for 50 yards on 11 carries and caught one pass for nine yards.
The Steelers’ coaching staff is pleased with the progress of these young players, but notes that there is still work to be done. “He’s had a good camp and he’s backed it up with some quality in-stadium play,” said head coach Mike Tomlin of Wilson. “We’ve got another game in a couple of more days and that time is critical for a young guy, so he has to keep his foot on the gas and keep working.”
The Steelers will face a tough test when they open their regular season against a Tampa Bay team with a strong backup quarterback. However, the team’s starting offensive line has performed well thus far, and the defense showed flashes of brilliance.
As the preseason comes to a close, the Steelers are focused on getting healthy for the start of the regular season. With an early bye week, there is no sense in risking key players with injuries now. The team will need to navigate the challenges ahead while maintaining their momentum from this weekend’s game.
Source: https://www.steelers.com/news/steelers-10-thoughts-silver-linings-in-preseason-losses