Steelers have share of questions to answer heading into unusual training camp

A training camp unique in NFL history begins Tuesday. Like every other team, the Pittsburgh Steelers will deal with the challenges of preparing to play a 16-game season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This week will focus on covid-19 testing and physicals. Another week will be dedicated to strength and conditioning. Practice in pads won’t commence until the middle of August. The preseason has been scrapped.

Rosters will be trimmed to 80 before tackling is permitted, but additional jobs are available thanks to a supersized practice squad.

Although the NFL has changed the way camps are being conducted, the same questions facing teams as they build toward a new season exist. The Steelers are no exception.

1. Can Big Ben stay healthy?

This is No. 1 with the proverbial bullet. Fans got a glimpse of life without the Steelers franchise quarterback last year and, despite a decent start, it didn’t end well.

The offense mustered one touchdown in eight of the final nine games with Mason Rudolph and Devlin Hodges taking the snaps, a big reason the Steelers slumped after peaking at 8-5.

The Steelers are confident Ben Roethlisberger’s surgically repaired right elbow is sound. Still, he is 38 and rebounding from the longest extended absence of an NFL career that began in 2004. Without the benefit of any preseason games, the Steelers truly won’t know how strong Roethlisberger’s elbow is until the season opener. Then, they’ll hold their collective breath and hope he can make it through 15 more games.

2. Can running game return?

Minus a strong quarterback-receiver tandem to keep defenses honest, the running game couldn’t gain traction with or without James Conner on the field in 2019. The Steelers finished 29th in rushing, which actually was a slight improvement over 2018 when it had a No. 31 ranking.

In the offseason, team president Art Rooney made an improved running game a priority. The Steelers haven’t ranked in the top half of the league in rushing since 2016 when they were No. 14. The last time the franchise had a top-10 ranking was Mike Tomlin’s first season, 2007, when the Steelers were No. 3 and averaged 135.5 yards per game.

The addition of fourth-rounder Anthony McFarland Jr. gives Tomlin another option to consider after Conner, Benny Snell and Jaylen Samuels. New fullback Derek Watt was signed to create holes in the defense that may have been lacking in the past.

3. Will ball-hawking “D” continue?

After tying a franchise low with eight interceptions in 2018, the Steelers bounced back to generate 20 last year, ranking second in the league. Thanks to 18 fumble recoveries, the Steelers led all teams in takeaways, and every starter save nose tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Mark Barron is back for another year.

That’s one positive. Another is that safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will spend his first full season in defensive coordinator Keith Butler’s system. And that inside linebacker Devin Bush is ready to take on more responsibility after a solid rookie season.

4. Can O-line find stability?

Ramon Foster’s retirement after 11 seasons represented the second loss of a starter on the offensive line in as many seasons, following right tackle Marcus Gilbert’s departure in 2019. Stefen Wisniewski was signed to compete for Foster’s former job, but when training camp begins, the first starter’s snaps will be going to Matt Feiler.

Feiler is shifting inside after replacing Gilbert last year. That will create an opening at right tackle for Chuks Okorafor or Zach Banner. If they aren’t ready to win the job, Feiler could move back outside with Wisniewski’s taking over at left guard.

Again, without the benefit of a preseason, the questions surrounding the offensive line’s composition expect to carry into September.

5. What impact can rookie class make?

Unlike 2019, when Bush was thrust into a starting job at inside linebacker, the Steelers aren’t counting on any members of their rookie class to be immediate contributors. At least Bush had the benefit of offseason workouts and a preseason to show he was ready to handle the responsibility.

That obviously won’t be the case for the 2020 rookie class, which means any playing time will be earned on what they contribute in camp. Second-rounder Chase Claypool could emerge as part of the wide receiver rotation, third-rounder Alex Highsmith could become the top backup outside linebacker, and McFarland could provide a change of pace in the backfield.

For the others — guard Kevin Dotson, safety Antoine Brooks and defensive lineman Carlos Davis — this could equate to a redshirt year.