Steelers notebook: Mike Tomlin likes physical nature of practice, but not fight that ensued

The Pittsburgh Steelers worked on short-yardage and goal-line situations Monday, which meant a lot of close-contact collisions between the offensive and defensive lines.

One rep in a team drill got extra physical when rookie center Kendrick Green and 11-year veteran Cameron Heyward tussled. Rookie left tackle Dan Moore Jr. jumped to Green’s defense, and he also had to be separated from Heyward.

When Moore tangled with Heyward earlier in camp during an unpadded practice, it prompted coach Mike Tomlin to say he wasn’t coaching an “MMA squad.”

This time, Tomlin chose not to address the fight.

“It’s not appropriate for anyone in my position to condone that in any way, whether it’s indirect or not,” he said. “We’re focused on official ball that is transpiring out here. I’ll never comment on some of those things. I acknowledge that it potentially could happen because we have emotional guys vying and competing on a daily basis, but that is not something we highlight, particularly not for the young people who watch us do what we do.”

The skirmish aside, Tomlin liked the intensity his players showed during the periods when plenty of hitting was featured.

“Love it,” he said. “Love the matchups within the game. A day like today when you’re featuring short yardage and goal line, I expected those guys to rise to the occasion and show the type of spirit associated from that type of play.”

Injury report

Benny Snell Jr. was not at practice and Tomlin didn’t specify the reason behind the absence other than to say the third-year running back was being “looked at.”

“We’ll maybe update when we determine the severity or lack of severity of it,” Tomlin said. “Right now, we’re exploring his status.”

Snell’s absence provided more reps for Anthony McFarland and Kalen Ballage behind starter Najee Harris.

Tomlin also acknowledged for the first time that strong safety Terrell Edmunds had offseason surgery, which is the reason he hasn’t participated in most contact drills during camp.

“We’ve been protecting him from physical contact since Day 1 that we’ve been out here,” he said.

Miles Killebrew got some of the first-team work Thursday, and Tomlin took exception when asked about Killebrew’s increased playing time.

“We’ve been watching Edmunds the whole time,” he said. “Where have you been, buddy?”

Getting closer

Right tackle Zach Banner took his first reps of team activity when he was on the field for the first two snaps of the Seven Shots 2-minute session. Banner is working his way back from ACL surgery.

Center J.C. Hassenauer worked with the second-team offense for the first time since he injured his leg about a week ago. Running back Jaylen Samuels (leg) also returned to practice.

“That’s a natural part of this process,” Tomlin said. “We’ll see others work to get back to competition as well.”

That likely won’t happen until the Steelers return to practice following the Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night.

Tackle Chuks Okorafor and guard Kevin Dotson continued to be withheld from team activities. Tight end Eric Ebron (elbow) was limited to conditioning exercises as were linebacker T.J. Watt and defensive end Stephon Tuitt.

Also missing practice were inside linebacker Marcus Allen, tackle Anthony Coyle and wide receiver Cody White, who received some individual instruction after practice concluded.