he won in the end zone.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\nWilliams also had a 27-yard punt return wiped out by a holding call. Pittsburgh has some interesting players at receiver trying to carve out practice squad spots.<\/p>\n
First-Team OL<\/p>\n
A young offensive line under the spotlight, the unit passed its first test. All starters sans veteran LG Isaac Seumalo suited up and all played well in first watch through. Rudolph had a clean pocket on Washington\u2019s touchdown and even on his sack, the o-linemen held up for at least five seconds. That outcome isn\u2019t on them.<\/p>\n
The running game had less room but overall, the Steelers\u2019 o-line did its job for a first time out without any game planning. All while facing the Jaguars\u2019 starting defense on the opening possession, no less.<\/p>\n
CB Brandin Echols<\/p>\n
Echols has quietly had an excellent summer and is ticketed to be a top backup behind Jalen Ramsey, Joey Porter Jr., and Darius Slay. Getting depth from his underneath hook zone, he broke up a first-half pass. He also recorded a tackle for loss. With Cory Trice Jr. injured, Echols could work into dime packages or, at the least, be a solid next-man-up option in a Steelers cornerback room that is much better than a season ago.<\/p>\n
S Juan Thornhill<\/p>\n
Thornhill\u2019s play tonight won\u2019t make him the next Minkah Fitzpatrick, but his energy and physicality were on display. He had the biggest hit of the night with this first-drive pop over the middle, a textbook clean hit that forced the incompletion.<\/p>\n
ILB Cole Holcomb<\/p>\n
Holcomb checked a major milestone tonight, suiting up in his first game since his devastating November 2023 knee injury that\u2019s robbed him of the last 21 months. He made one impact play, defending a pass in the flat that led to an incompletion, and he looked healthy and moved around well. That\u2019ll not only give himself confidence but the coaching staff confidence in his healthy and full recovery. Holcomb has a good chance to make the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n
P Corliss Waitman<\/p>\n
Atypical for the preseason, Pittsburgh didn\u2019t do much punting tonight. Waitman made his lone boot count, a 57-yarder with good hangtime that resulted in a 51\/52-yard net. Even if Cameron Johnston has the edge \u2014 and Pittsburgh has framed it as an open competition \u2014 Waitman is keeping things tight.<\/p>\n
RB Lew Nichols<\/p>\n
Nichols made noise late in the game, ripping off several tough runs to breathe life into the Steelers\u2019 ground game late. He recorded 28 yards on his first four carries. Evan Hull wasn\u2019t as productive but worked hard and showed effort, recovering a fumble to keep Pittsburgh in possession and scoring position. Trey Sermon also made a couple of plays on special teams and offense, catching a screen pass for a score.<\/p>\n
LOSERS
\nBackup Offensive Line<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh\u2019s o-line depth has been questionable all offseason, and the second-team unit had its problems tonight. Pass protection was serviceable, but the running lanes weren\u2019t there. New addition OT Andrus Peat was flagged for false start inside Jacksonville\u2019s 10-yard-line, OG Doug Nester was later called for holding, and at first blush, no one stood out. Right tackle Gareth Warren had issues protecting the edge, giving up a sack\/fumble the Jaguars nearly recovered.<\/p>\n
Pittsburgh will need to keep a close eye on the waiver wire and potential trade market, slim as it is, for o-line help, come cutdowns.<\/p>\n
Pass Rush<\/p>\n
No T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, or Nick Herbig tonight so it shouldn\u2019t be a shock the Steelers\u2019 rush felt muted. But even with Keeanu Benton, Derrick Harmon, and Jack Sawyer in the game, the rush hardly got home.<\/p>\n
Harmon was especially quiet, and his play didn\u2019t match his training camp performances. Need to rewatch but felt like he was dropping his eyes and not playing with a strong base. Sawyer was less effective than I thought, though he dealt with running back chips in obvious passing situations. He also couldn\u2019t finish a late-sack opportunity on what was a nice move to win the edge.<\/p>\n
The Steelers finished the night with zero sacks and just two QB hits.<\/p>\n
CB Kyler McMichael<\/p>\n
McMichael struggled tackling the catch, leading to two good YAC plays by Jacksonville during a fourth quarter touchdown drive. McMichael is at the back end of the cornerback depth chart and though his reps increased due to injuries, he\u2019s done little to give himself a chance to stick on the practice squad this season.<\/p>\n