LATROBE, Pa. _ B.J. Finney remains focused on his work in training camp, not the "promotion" he's earned through his performance at Saint Vincent College.
The Steelers released the first depth chart of 2017 today and Finney was listed as the first-team center.
Since the depth chart didn't consider players who haven't been practicing, such as All-Pro center Maurkice Pouncey, Finney wasn't even willing to embrace his newfound first-team status as temporary.
"We all know that isn't true," he said. "I don't really focus on stuff like that. My job is to be ready to play when and where they need me to play and that doesn't change."
The Steelers needed Finney, a backup interior offensive lineman, at first-team center again this afternoon (Pouncey remained out of practice).
They also needed Finney's fellow backup offensive lineman, Chris Hubbard, to step in for Alejandro Villanueva at left tackle with the first unit. Villanueva had been injured on the second-to-last snap on Sunday night at Heinz Field and remained out today.
"They keep putting me in there so it must be going well," Finney said.
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Practice makes perfect when it comes to making an impressive one-handed catch.
MEDICAL FILE:** In addition to Pouncey and Villanueva, quarterback Landry Jones, wide receiver Justin Hunter, wide receiver Demarcus Ayers, cornerback Cam Sutton, safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Artie Burns, cornerback Senquez Golson, linebacker Ryan Shazier, offensive tackle Jerald Hawkins, outside linebacker William Gay, and outside linebacker Keion Adams were among those who didn't practice due to either injury or a coach's decision.
Running back James Conner put his pads on for the first time since the Steelers' first day in pads on July 30, but didn't take part in any 11-on-11 work.
SEVEN SHOTS: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit conversion/touchdown passes to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, tight end David Johnson and wide receiver Antonio Brown. Roethlisberger also threw incomplete for Brown. The offense won the drill, 4-3, on a last-play scramble for a conversion/touchdown by quarterback Joshua Dobbs.
CAN-DO SPIRIT: The quarterbacks and offensive coordinator Todd Haley spent some time during the warm-up trying to lob passes into a garbage can that had been stacked on top of another garbage can, as happens periodically in camp. Roethlisberger, Dobbs and Haley each connected once. Bart Houston found the bottom of the garbage can twice.
TWO-MINUTE MAGIC: The offense was tasked to drive 60 yards for a touchdown with 1:42 on the clock and with one timeout at its disposal.
Roethlisberger got it done, finishing his two-minute drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Brown, who made the catch between safety Sean Davis and linebacker Vince Williams.
Dobbs, who had the benefit of two timeouts, also finished his drive with a TD. He found wide receiver Canaan Severin for a 20-yard score over cornerback JaCorey Shepherd.
QUICK-HITTERS: Cornerback Mike Hilton, working as a nickel, had a pass defensed on a deep ball from Dobbs to wide receiver Coby Hamilton in 11-on-11 work … Outside linebacker Bud Dupree stopped running back Knile Davis for little or no gain on the first play of 11-on-11 "tackle football." Dupree also brought down running back Terrell Watson for little or no gain … Tight end Jesse James dropped a pass from Roethlisberger after beating Dupree over the middle in 11-on-11 … Hall-of-Fame cornerback Mel Blount was among the visitors to practice … Burns did some running on the field as drills progressed … Wide receivers Martavis Bryant (not fully reinstated from suspension) and Sammie Coates (P.U.P. list/knee) caught passes while the rest of the Steelers were taking part in practice.
