Daily camp report: Mike Tomlin energized by large crowd size at Saint Vincent

For the first time in three years, the Pittsburgh Steelers practiced in front of a packed house at Saint Vincent’s Chuck Noll Field.

The Steelers distributed 17,000 tickets for the first weekend practice of the season — and first since the team resumed practicing at the Unity campus since the coronavirus pandemic. Judging by the number of fans seated in the stands and the surrounding hillside, most tickets were put to use.

The large gathering coincided with the NFL’s “Back Together Saturday” initiative that was held for the second year in a row. Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the fans before the practice and acknowledged Hall of Honor recipient Heath Miller as he thanked the crowd for attending.

“How about that crowd today,” Tomlin said at the conclusion of the two-hour workout in 80-degree heat. “Man, we’re so excited to be back in this environment and feel the support of our fans.”

The practice was the final one of the heat-acclimation ramp-up period. Players will don pads for the first time Monday.

“That is a significant component of this process,” Tomlin said. “We’ll get an opportunity to stop speculating and look at the realities of play. It’s a big day for guys.”

It will be the first time for members of the rookie class to make tackles — or be on the receiving end of big hits.

“I’ve been waiting for this,” said third-round pick DeMarvin Leal, a defensive end. “I haven’t been in pads since the LSU game at (Texas) A&M. It’s been a while. I’ve been itching to get back.”

“Obviously the intensity is going to be heightened,” fourth-round receiver Calvin Austin III said. “From the standpoint of what changes — nothing. Just hone in on details. At the end of the day, it’s football. I’ve been playing it my whole life. You have to make plays and execute.”

For members of the offensive line, it will provide some variety to practice after four sessions in which pass plays have been called 90% of the time.

“We haven’t had a whole lot of runs,” center Mason Cole said. “It’s hard to run block when you don’t have pads on. I think we’ll get more team runs, one-on-ones with the defensive line. It’s huge to have reps against the defense.”

Action not words

Quarterback Mason Rudolph continued to take the reps with the second-team offense, and Mitch Trubisky again worked with the first. Rudolph is sandwiched between Trubisky and first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett on the depth chart, but he doesn’t feel like the forgotten candidate in the quarterback competition.

“I’m going to go out there on the field and let the play do the talking,” Rudolph said. “I’m not trying to convince anybody here one way or the other (with talk). I’m here for a reason. Coaches and teammates believe in me, and that’s all I can control.”

Injury update

The only injury suffered during practice Saturday was to inside linebacker Marcus Allen, who injured his hamstring. Tight end Pat Freiermuth sat again with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Chase Claypool remains day-to-day after injuring his shoulder Friday.

Wide receiver Diontae Johnson didn’t practice beyond doing limited individual reps. Defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi also hasn’t participated in team activities as a concession to offseason ankle surgery.

“Hopefully sooner than later,” Ogunjobi said.