Steelers change to some morning practices at 2024 training camp

Good morning, Sunshine — and welcome to training camp.

In a break from longstanding practice, many Pittsburgh Steelers open practices at training camp from Saint Vincent College will start at 10:30 a.m. this summer.

The Steelers released their training camp schedule Friday, a list of 16 practices open to the public that begins July 25 and ends Aug. 14. The annual “Friday Night Lights” practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium remains a staple for the second Friday of camp, with the other 15 scheduled for the familiar setting of Chuck Noll Stadium on the Saint Vincent campus in Unity Township.

What is decidedly unfamiliar about the schedule is that 10 of the 15 on-campus practices open to the public will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The Steelers traditionally have held practices in late afternoon. A more common practice across the league, though, is morning workouts.

Weekend camp practices still will begin in the afternoon — July 27-28 and Aug. 3-4 at 1:55 p.m., and Aug. 11 at 2:55 p.m. But those held at Saint Vincent on a Monday through Thursday will begin at 10:30 a.m. Players, via the terms of the collective bargaining agreement with the league, are afforded one off day each week during camp.

Over the past two decades, since when “two-a-day” practices were banned, the Steelers have chosen to hold a walkthrough-style practice in the mid-morning with their full-squad workout in late afternoon. The window was bumped back to begin at 1:55 in 2022 after years of 2:55 p.m. starts.

All open practices at Saint Vincent are free to attend but require a mobile ticket acquired via the Steelers.

Players will report July 24, 16 days prior to their preseason opener Aug. 9 at home against the Houston Texans. Beginning the next day, the Steelers will practice 10 of the ensuing 11 days. An annual highlight is the first practice with pads — featuring the popular “backs on backers” drill — set for July 30.

The “Friday Night Lights” practice benefiting the Greater Latrobe School District requires a paid ticket.

Camp breaks Aug. 15 with campus not open to fans. The final open practice will be Aug. 14 at 10:30 a.m.

The complete schedule:

July 24 Reporting Day, campus closed to public

July 26 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

July 26 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

July 27 Practice, 1:55 p.m.

July 28 Practice, 1:55 p.m.

July 29 Off day, campus closed to public

July 30 Practice, 10:30 a.m. First padded practice

July 31 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 1 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 2 Practice, 7 p.m. Latrobe Memorial Stadium

Aug. 3 Practice, 1:55 p.m.

Aug. 4 Practice, 1:55 p.m.

Aug. 5 Off day, campus closed to public

Aug. 6 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 7 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 8 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 9 Preseason game vs. Houston, Acrisure Stadium

Aug. 10 Off day, campus closed to public

Aug. 11 Practice, 1:55 p.m.

Aug. 12 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 13 Off day, campus closed to public

Aug. 14 Practice, 10:30 a.m.

Aug. 15 Camp breaks, campus closed to public