Steelers notebook: Kevin Dotson works way into starting spot — for 1 day, at least

Clarity began to take shape Saturday on the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line.

Kevin Dotson, the projected starter at left guard, took his first snaps with the first-team offense, and rookie tackle Dan Moore, after taking reps entirely on the left side, practiced on the right side with the second team.

Each move carries significance for the Steelers.

Dotson had been relegated to second team when he returned to practice last week because of injury, and he came off the bench Thursday in the Steelers’ preseason game at Philadelphia.

Coach Mike Tomlin indicated that Dotson’s practice elevation Saturday was because of veteran Trai Turner getting a day off. Dotson, however, took snaps at left guard where Rashaad Coward had been starting. B.J. Finney moved into Turner’s spot.

In his preseason debut, Dotson logged 50 snaps, more than all but one player on the roster.

“He played well in the game,” Tomlin said, “but I wouldn’t anoint him just yet.”

The Steelers missed a chance for all five projected starters on the offensive line to take snaps together because of Turner’s day off and rookie center Kendrick Green’s excused absence from practice.

J.C. Hassenauer took first-team reps at center Saturday. Green started the first two preseason games.

“K.G. has played himself into a nice position,” offensive line coach Adrian Klemm said Saturday. “He’s definitely in contention, if not the guy on opening day. He’s been working really hard. He’s more comfortable at the position, and he’s done a really nice job with the expectations we have for him.”

When right tackle Zach Banner needed a breather Saturday, the Steelers put Moore, the rookie fourth-round draft pick, in his spot. Veteran Joe Haeg had been taking the reps with the first team at right tackle.

The decision to move Moore is an indication that Chuks Okorafor will be the starting left tackle.

“You can suggest that,” Tomlin said.

If Moore can play right tackle, he could fill the swing tackle role this season.

“It was a challenge initially, getting used to his stance,” Klemm said. “But as practice progressed, he didn’t drop off. In the two-minute (offense), he did a good job. He’s been stoic every day.”

Challenge answered

Punter Jordan Berry didn’t wilt in the wake of rookie Pressley Harvin III’s sensational preseason debut.

One week after Harvin dropped three of his four punts inside the 20, including one that was downed at the 1 against the Dallas Cowboys, Berry had his chance to respond against the Eagles.

Berry put two of his four punts inside the 20, including one that was downed at the 2. The other was downed at the 7.

“I don’t feel like it was a great game. Pretty standard, nothing really out of the ordinary for me,” Berry said Saturday. “If I keep doing that, I’ll be fine. Pressley is the one who has to knock me off. He’s got to be the one who has to come out there and blow their socks off.”

Harvin did that in the opener and is averaging 45.8 yards on four punts. Berry’s average is 44 yards.

A veteran heading into his seventh season, Berry has faced challenges before. Last year, he was cut after the Steelers signed Dustin Colquitt before the start of the season, but he was brought back for the final 11 games.

Berry doesn’t feel like the Steelers are trying to cast him aside again.

“It’s the NFL,” he said. “At this level, they want the best. They are going to do what they can to double-check they do have the best. If you put a bad practice or a bad game out there, they are going to double-check to make sure you are still the top guy.”

Injury report

Running backs Benny Snell and Kalen Ballage and wide receivers James Washington and Ray-Ray McCloud took part in the individual portion of practice but did not take team reps as they work their way back from injuries.

Offensive lineman Chaz Green, who led the Steelers by playing 52 snaps against the Eagles, also did not practice because of an unspecified reason.

Antoine Brooks, who is competing for the slot corner job, did not practice after missing the game against the Eagles with an injury.

In addition to Turner, cornerback Joe Haden had the day off. Defensive end Stephon Tuitt did not participate, and outside linebacker T.J. Watt continued to do individual work and conditioning.