Steelers coach Mike Tomlin remains vague about right tackle, DeCastro's availability ahead of season opener

In his season opening news conference, coach Mike Tomlin did little to clear up the competition at right tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he also was vague Tuesday about right guard David DeCastro’s availability for the season opener in six days.

Chuks Okorafor and Zach Banner are competing at right tackle, and the initial depth chart released Monday by the Steelers listed both players as options for starting against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

“It’s been a tough decision because I feel like we have two guys that are starter capable,” Tomlin said. “That’s a good issue to have. We’ll quickly sort that out as we get through the week and formulate what we think is best for us at winning this football game.”

Okorafor has made two career starts at right tackle. Banner, though, was used frequently as a blocking tight end last year.

DeCastro missed the first and last week of training camp with a lower-body injury. He also did not practice Monday.

If DeCastro, a five-time All-Pro pick, is unable to play against the Giants, the Steelers will use veteran interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski.

“We’ll see what tomorrow holds as we begin our preparation week,” Tomlin said. “I know he’s excited about getting back out there with his teammates as soon as possible.”

Tomlin also discussed the reason for the Steelers claiming quarterback Josh Dobbs off waivers and signing safety Sean Davis. Dobbs was traded to Jacksonville after Week 1 in 2019, and Davis signed with Washington in free agency but was released at the end of camp.

Tomlin sought Dobbs as the Steelers’ third quarterback because of his intelligence and mobility. He will replace Devlin Hodges, who was cut and re-signed to the practice squad.

“It’s good to have a trait or something that gives you a winning edge,” Tomlin said. “His mobility and prudent use of it is going to be an asset for him in those circumstances.”

Davis missed the final 14 games of the 2019 season with a shoulder injury. He will be the primary backup to starters Minkah Fitzpatrick and Terrell Edmunds in the secondary.

Tomlin said Davis also was brought back because of his familiarity with the Steelers special teams units.

“Forget safety,” he said. “Sean Davis has been a guy over his career with us who has been a quality punt team player, a quality kickoff team player. Those are the first things we thought about when we had an opportunity to reacquire him — the instant help he can provide us as a guy who spent a lot of time as a core special teamer for us in his youth.”

Another move the Steelers made Monday was signing 38-year-old punter Dustin Colquitt and releasing Jordan Berry, who held those duties for the past five seasons.

“We’re really excited about his floor,” Tomlin said, indicating that Colquitt isn’t prone to the occasional short punts that dogged Berry in his tenure. “He’s a 15-year veteran, a guy who has seen a lot of circumstances, has been in a lot of circumstances. We’ve got a great deal of comfort in his ability to deliver in a variety of circumstances in an unusual environment.”

Here is some of what Tomlin had to say: