UNITY TWP, Pa. — Even as DK Metcalf dressed in joggers, a long-sleeved shirt and a vest-styled hoodie, young fans lined the fence by the practice field at Pittsburgh Steelers training camp, desperate to meet him.
“D! K! D! K! D! K!” They chanted, holding memorabilia they hoped would soon be covered by the standout receiver’s signature.
Metcalf tuned out the cheers while retrieving footballs and handing them back to a JUGS machine operator to shoot at his lesser-adored teammates.
“Deeeee Kayyyyy! Deeeee Kayyyyyy!” The throng belted out in unison, still trying to catch Metcalf’s attention minutes later.
Roc Taylor, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods went ignored while talking to one another nearby. As Metcalf and Calvin Austin III sat out, the trio had made its fair share of plays — and adjustments — during the Thursday practice at St. Vincent College. The collection isn’t the deepest in the NFL, but if the session is any indication, things are coming together for Rodgers’ targets.
Two plays after diving and narrowly missing an Aaron Rodgers fade pass during the final team period, Woods went deep down the left sideline again and laid out to make the grab, beating safety Sebastian Castro for a 40-yard gain. Wilson greeted the 13th-year veteran downfield to celebrate, an example of the impact Woods is making with the knowledge he’s gained over a handful of previous stops.
“I always tell them, ‘We’re only as good as you (are),’” Woods said. “That’s like, ‘We’re only gonna go as far as you go, as far as you train.’ (If) you keep pushing yourself and everybody has that mentality … I think the whole team gets better.”
Taylor starred during the second and final two-minute drill to cap Steelers practice. From the 26-yard line, the undrafted rookie got behind the defense on a go route and hauled in a Skylar Thompson pass in the back of the end zone. However, he couldn’t stab both feet down before crashing into an advertisement board.
“I was pretty close,” Taylor said. “I was focused on the ball, but trying to get my feet down at the same time.”
The next play, Taylor sold a deep pattern again before twisting past Kyler McMichael to grab a back-shoulder throw. The catch got the offense to the four-yard line, and Lew Nichols polished the scoring march off by barging in on the next snap.
“The one’s just a go ball and then wherever he places the ball, just adjust to it,” Taylor said. “Just making a play, that’s all it was. … Just mainly sell the first route. You can’t ever look back too early, give the route up. Just run straight and, last minute, adjust to it.
“The DB doesn’t know where the ball is at. I do.”
Woods believes the oft-doubted group is improving by the day, showcased by its solid performance as the more entrenched pass-catchers are out. After most everyone had dissipated, he was one of the few remaining on the field.
“Ro-bert! Ro-bert! Ro-bert!” The leftover fans begged, finally noticing the veteran pass-catcher.
That’s just how it goes, huh?
Kumbaya at St. Vincent
Ahead of the Steelers’ first preseason outing, at the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, things were pretty tame. Even with the emotions that come with wearing pads, there weren’t any scuffles or even a shove after the whistle. The normally boisterous cornerback tandem of Brandin Echols and Beanie Bishop was even relatively quiet.
During the first Steelers team session of the day, linebacker Mark Robinson popped tailback Kaleb Johnson, who stayed up, but somehow safety Miles Killebrew wound up on his butt. A handful of plays later, running back Lew Nichols stiff-armed Cameron McCutcheon in the face a little late, but the two dapped up instead of squaring up.
Seven Shots
With a win hanging in the balance, there was a bit of drama at the end of the Steelers’ competitive session. The credit went to the defense, but maybe it shouldn’t have.
🏈Rodgers handed the ball off to Jaylen Warren, who was swallowed up in a throng of defenders a yard or two later.
🏈Rodgers misfired on a throw to the back left corner with Scotty Miller closest. Beanie Bishop was near him in coverage.
🏈Rodgers ejected from the pocket to his left and appeared to be tucking it. Instead, he rode the line of scrimmage and zipped it to Brandon Johnson crossing in the back of the end zone, frustrating Echols.
🏈Mason Rudolph tried to fit a pass to Lance McCutcheon on a slant, but Yahya Black pawed it right down.
🏈Rudolph bootlegged to his right, dumping it off to an open Evan Hull in the flat for the score.
🏈Thompson found Ke’Shawn Williams on a sit route, with the ball beating Killebrew to him.
🏈Rodgers roped an offering to Scotty Miller, who feigned an outside release and beat Echols back inside on a slant. By the time Miller clutched the ball, he was almost out of the end zone and was initially thought not to get both feet in.
After further deliberation with Steelers Now photographer Ed Thompson, who captured the shot, Miller might have really kicked both feet down with Echolds draped over him.
Injury Updates
🏈DT Derrick Harmon (undisclosed) returned to practice after missing Wednesday’s session.
🏈CB Joey Porter Jr. (hand) participated in team after just running through individual drills on Tuesday and Wednesday.
🏈CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith and LB T.J. Watt were given the day off.
🏈DT Cam Heyward didn’t suit up after reports that he’s looking for a pay raise.
Notes From Team Periods
🏈Aaron Rodgers rolled right while escorted by Darnell Washington, who walled off Beanie Bishop, and found Roman Wilson on a crosser 15 yards downfield. Darius Slay tried to keep up.
🏈Roc Taylor had a leaping catch above Cameron McCutcheon on a curl route, vacuuming in the pass from Skylar Thompson.
🏈Rodgers hit Wilson on another intermediate crossing route during 7-on-7. Had it been fully live — and in 2008 — DeShon Elliott might’ve taken his head off.
🏈On a fourth down during the initial two-minute drill, Beanie Bishop came inches from picking off a Mason Rudolph shallow offering.
Mentioned In This Article: DK Metcalf Pittsburgh Steelers Robert Woods Roc Taylor Roman Wilson Steelers top