Steelers finally could have perfect attendance for minicamp

Before the Pittsburgh Steelers can enjoy an extended break before training camp, one more piece of business remains.

Minicamp, the final portion of the NFL’s offseason workout program, takes place this week. It starts with physicals Monday and practices Tuesday through Thursday.

Like the organized team activities that preceded it, minicamp represents a scaled-down version of practice. Helmets can be worn. Pads cannot. And no tackling is permitted.

At minicamp, teams can have players at the facility for 10 hours a day and can conduct two-a-day practices totaling 3.5 hours — provided the second practice is a walkthrough.

Nine NFL teams wrapped up what is known as Phase 3 of the offseason program by conducting their minicamps last week. That included the Cleveland Browns. Along with the Steelers, the other two AFC North teams will hold their minicamps this week.

Here are five storylines to watch for the Steelers before they go their separate ways until reconvening July 25 in Latrobe:

1. Will there be any no-shows?

Unlike OTAs, attendance at minicamp is mandatory. Any player under contract is required to attend, and fines can be issued to anyone who holds out. Franchise-tagged players who haven’t signed their tender represent an exception, which is why Le’Veon Bell skipped minicamp each of the previous two seasons.

That won’t apply to the Steelers this year, and only one player, slot cornerback Mike Hilton, is not under contract. Hilton hasn’t signed his exclusive-rights tender, and he has stated he will continue practicing with his teammates while hoping the Steelers will give him a sweeter deal before training camp.

The only player to miss all 10 OTA sessions was All-Pro guard David DeCastro, whose wife recently gave birth to the couple’s second child. DeCastro’s presence is expected.

2. What will the coaches say?

For the first time since the end of the season, assistant coaches will be made available to the media. It will be the first chance to gain insight into their philosophies and expectations.

The Steelers have two newcomers on staff: running backs coach Eddie Faulkner and senior defensive assistant Teryl Austin. Also, Shaun Sarrett was promoted to offensive line coach after Mike Munchak took the same position with the Denver Broncos.

Faulkner and Austin spoke briefly during the NFL Draft when the Steelers selected running back Benny Snell Jr. and cornerback Justin Layne. The Steelers, however, haven’t made Sarrett available for interviews since his hiring Jan. 14.

3. Who gets second-team reps at quarterback?

Joshua Dobbs spent last season as the backup to Ben Roethlisberger, and he entered offseason workouts holding the same position. Mason Rudolph is the No. 3, although he is hoping to elevate himself a spot higher on the depth chart.

True competition won’t begin until training camp and will be decided over the course of four preseason games. But Dobbs and Rudolph can get an early jump on the process this week while the entire roster is intact.

4. Will this be Artie Burns’ last stand?

The Steelers, as expected, didn’t exercise Burns’ fifth-year option this spring, and they reportedly have until late July to decide whether to pay an $800,000 roster bonus. That gives Burns three more days of practice time to convince coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Kevin Colbert he deserves to be on the team for his fourth NFL season.

By cutting Burns, the Steelers would save $1.75 millon on their salary cap, but they also would be without a veteran insurance policy in case of injury to starting cornerbacks Joe Haden and Steven Nelson.

Burns took first-team reps in OTAs while Haden missed nearly all of the 10 sessions. Haden is expected to be back for minicamp, but the Steelers could decide to give a final extended look at Burns before the deadline.

5. Where do the rookies fit in?

During OTAs, first-round pick Devin Bush was the only rookie to rotate with the first team, subbing in for Mark Barron at inside linebacker. He will continue to push for playing time as the Steelers try to maximize his speed.

Minicamp will continue the learning curve of the rest of the draft class. That’s as true for someone such as third-rounders Justin Layne and Diontae Johnson, who are trying to find meaningful roles at their respective positions, as it is for sixth-rounder Sutton Smith, an outside linebacker who has taken practice reps at fullback.