Daily camp report: Kenny Pickett gets chance to work with 2nd-team offense for first time
The first day the Pittsburgh Steelers donned pads for practice coincided with rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett getting his first snaps with the second-team offense.
The first-round pick from Pitt was elevated behind starter Mitch Trubisky for the day. He got two repetitions in the practice-opening Seven Shots drill, and he continued to work with the second group for the remainder of the two-hour practice.
Mason Rudolph got just one snap in Seven Shots and worked extensively with the third team.
It was a departure from the first week of camp when Pickett took third-team snaps in team periods and got just one repetition in the Seven Shots drill.
Asked if anyone should read anything into Pickett’s ascension, coach Mike Tomlin shot back, “You should not, but I’m sure you will.”
Added Tomlin: “There will be more of that. All of those guys will run in all groups. It’s part of team development.”
Running back Najee Harris was a focal point of Seven Shots, and he also took part in the traditional backs-vs.-backers drill that is held early in the first padded practice. Harris, though, caused some concern when he walked off the field during a team period and removed his shoe and sock.
Harris had the sock and shoe back on his foot by the end of practice but then removed them again and hobbled across the practice field and up a hillside where he received a ride to the locker room in a golf cart.
“Somebody stepped on his foot,” Tomlin said. “It shouldn’t be a big deal.”
Running back Jeremy McNichols, signed a week ago as a free agent, had his shoulder evaluated Monday and did not practice. Also not practicing were tight end Pat Freiermuth, wide receiver Chase Claypool and inside linebacker Marcus Allen.
Wide receiver Diontae Johnson took part in some individual passing reps from quarterbacks, a slight elevation from his participation in the first week. He didn’t wear pads, though, and continued to work on his own.
“We’ll see what tomorrow holds,” Tomlin said, regarding Johnson’s “hold-in.”
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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