Mike Tomlin says Joe Schobert 'adapting quickly' to Steelers defense
Not only will quarterback Ben Roethlisberger make his preseason debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers, inside linebacker Joe Schobert will see his first game action of any kind with his new team Saturday against the Detroit Lions.
Schobert, who was acquired a week ago from the Jacksonville Jaguars, will start when the Steelers play their only home game of the preseason.
“We’ll play him with the first group,” coach Mike Tomlin said Thursday. “I don’t know if it’s needed to play him any more.”
Schobert, a sixth-year veteran, has had four practices to learn the Steelers defense.
“He’s proven quickly his football intellect is on a professional level,” Tomlin said. “He’s adapting quickly and gaining the detail, but playing with people and communicating and working the play together is something that is going to be continually addressed with him.
“It’s not going to get solved Saturday night.”
Roethlisberger historically hasn’t made his preseason debut until the third game, and this year is no different. Tomlin didn’t specify how many series Roethlisberger will work before turning the game over to the backups.
“We’ll play it by ear,” Tomlin said. “We have a plan, but we’re willing to adjust that plan based on what we see in stadium.”
Tomlin didn’t say whether Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins would replace Roethlisberger and take snaps with the first-team offensive line. Haskins, who has led the Steelers to 33 points in two games, hasn’t taken any snaps with the starters in a game.
Asked whether he would like to see Haskins play with the first-teamers, Tomlin said, “Not in this particular instance. The emphasis in this outing as it pertains to the quarterback position is getting Ben his first in-stadium exposure of the preseason, and we’ll go from there.”
Other players who haven’t taken snaps in the preseason include veterans Cameron Heyward, Tyson Alualu, Joe Haden and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
“We’ll have an open-door mentality regarding participation,” Tomlin said. “All that are healthy will have an opportunity to play in the game.”
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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