Inside the ropes: On eve of preseason opener, Steelers conduct light workout at Saint Vincent

Rare is it when the Pittsburgh Steelers conduct an open practice the day before a preseason game. It may be unprecedented in the Mike Tomlin era.

Tomlin broke protocol Thursday for the fans by putting his players through what amounted to an extended walkthrough at Saint Vincent College. The practice, which did not feature the players wearing pads of any sort, was a tuneup for the team’s preseason opener Friday night against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium.

Fans who attended the workout at Chuck Noll Field got a chance to watch players that will be standing on the sidelines when the Steelers open preseason play.

Of the seven veterans Tomlin previously ruled out from competition in the opener, all but outside linebacker Alex Highsmith had some level of participation. Highsmith didn’t practice because of a groin injury.

Quarterback Russell Wilson shared first-team reps with Justin Fields during team periods. Left guard Isaac Seumalo also received some work with the starters. Both players will sit out the opener.

On defense, Cameron Heyward didn’t take part in any team portions but did some conditioning on the side. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, inside linebacker Patrick Queen and free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick took part in early team periods. All four players already have been declared out for the game Friday.

Among the players who did not practice Thursday were nose tackle Breiden Fehoko (shoulder) and outside linebacker Markus Golden (undisclosed).

• In an indication that the atmosphere was going to be relaxed, the Steelers did not do the “seven shots” 2-point simulation that traditionally starts off the team portion of practice. Instead, the offense went to work from its 30-yard line and moved its way down the field.

• Former Steelers safety and current ESPN commentator Ryan Clark attended practice. Clark wore a No. 32 jersey in honor of late Hall of Fame running back Franco Harris.

• Safety Jalen Elliott was brought back after being let go before the start of camp. He took the roster spot of defensive back Nate Meadors, who was waived/injured. Elliott wore No. 34, with linebacker Easton Gibbs switching to 40. Gibbs wore 34 for one day.

• Broderick Jones had alternated reps at left tackle with Dan Moore Jr. the past two days so first-round pick Troy Fautanu could play right tackle with the starters. Jones was back at right tackle, and Fautanu returned to the second-team grouping. Jones continued to get work at left tackle with the second unit.

• In the first team period, before the intensity softened considerably, Fields hooked up with Calvin Austin on a deep pass down the right sideline. Austin sped past Thomas Graham Jr. and Damontae Kazee in coverage.

• Special teams received its customary two periods in practice. Danny Smith had his players working on field-goal block and punt-block formations. They also worked on “mayday” situations with the field-goal unit getting on the field in a timely fashion.

• Matthew Wright did all the simulated “kicking” in drills, an indication Chris Boswell also will not be used against the Texans.