With most of regulars sitting, Steelers offense shut out in 1st half of HOF Game

CANTON, Ohio — Good thing for the Pittsburgh Steelers that most of their offensive starters didn’t suit up Thursday night in the Hall of Fame Game.

With backup quarterback Mason Rudolph playing deep into the second quarter and only three anticipated regulars in the lineup, the Steelers were shut out for the first half of their season opener against the Dallas Cowboys at Tom Benson Stadium.

Rudolph played the first three series and completed 6 of 9 passes for 84 yards. He also lost a fumble.

Rookie Najee Harris started at running back and gained 22 yards on seven attempts while also playing three series.

Former first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins replaced Rudolph with 4 minutes, 3 seconds left in the half.

The only regulars to start on offense were Harris and wide receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool, who walked off with an injury after a 45-yard reception.

On defense, the Steelers started three regulars: cornerback Cam Sutton, outside linebacker Alex Highsmith and inside linebacker Robert Spillane. Antoine Brooks Jr. got the nod at slot corner.

Highsmith and Sutton played two series before departing. Highsmith had a sack on the Cowboys’ opening possession. Spillane exited after the third series.

The Cowboys outgained the Steelers, 217 yards to 123 in the half, yet took a only 3-0 lead into intermission.

Rudolph’s first series ended with his fumble at the Steelers 48. Claypool went in motion, and Rudolph was in the midst of a play-action pass when he collided with Claypool. Former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons recovered for the Cowboys.

Before the drive self-destructed, Rudolph completed 3 of 3 passes for 21 yards. Harris got his first pro carry on the second play, a 6-yard gain.

The defense limited the Cowboys to a 29-yard field goal after an 11-play drive. Highsmith used a nice spin move to get around the left end and sack Garrett Gilbert for a 7-yard loss. On third down, rookie Tre Norwood, starting at safety, had a pass breakup, and the Cowboys had to settle for three points.

On the Steelers’ second series, Harris had successive runs of 5 and 6 yards. On a second-and-4, Harris was held to 1 yard, and Rudolph’s pass to Claypool ticked off the wide receiver’s hands for a drop.

Rookie punter Pressley Harvin III pinned the Cowboys at their 11 with a 35-yard punt.

The Cowboys went 79 yards on 11 plays but the drive ended with Norwood blocking Hunter Niswander’s 29-yard field goal attempt. Cassius Marsh’s 6-yard sack on third down preceded the blocked kick.

Rudolph’s longest completion came on his third series when he found Claypool in single coverage down the left sideline for a 45-yard gain to the 29. Claypool was injured on the play and did not return.

The drive ended with Sam Sloman attempting a 49-yard field goal, with Harvin holding and Chartiers Valley grad Christian Kuntz snapping. He missed the kick wide right.

The Steelers got a turnover on the next possession with Justin Layne forcing the fumble after allowing a completion and Brooks returning it 15 yards to the Pittsburgh 35.

Harvin hit his second punt 48 yards and dropped it at the 1.