Highlights from practice No. 19 of training camp:
- The Heinz Field portion of camp concluded today with QB Ben Roethlisberger pronouncing himself prepared to execute play-action/bootlegs and function from under center as necessary in new coordinator Matt Canada's offense.
- "That's what our offense is, right?" Roethlisberger observed after practice. "We're under center, we're play-action, we're running the ball, so if that's what it's called to do that's what I'll do."
- Roethlisberger had been especially active and adept executing in such situations on Tuesday.
- He functioned well enough this afternoon to go 3-for-4 in "Seven Shots."
- The only Roethlisberger pass that didn't result in a conversion/touchdown was his first.
- That one was dropped by WR Diontae Johnson in the end zone.
Take a look at the Steelers training and preparing for the 2021 season at Heinz Field
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Trai Turner (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry (4) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Kevin Rader (87) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Carlos Davis (73) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Kevin Rader (87) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Marcus Allen (27) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Antoine Brooks Jr. (25) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne (31) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle John Leglue (77) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mathew Sexton (80) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (54) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (33) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Johnson (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Marcus Baugh (89) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Lamont Wade (24) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mark Gilbert (17) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Johnson (83) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back James Pierre (42) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back James Pierre (42) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (54) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Marcus Baugh (89) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Quincy Roche (48) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Pete Guerriero (30) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (33) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
SEVEN SHOTS: The two-point conversion/short-yardage drill returned after a two-day hiatus and the offense went 6-for-7 overall.
Roethlisberger hit WR James Washington, tight end Pat Freiermuth and wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in succession following the Johnson drop. Washington's reception was especially impressive. He went up and made a combat catch over CB Joe Haden and then got both feet down in bounds on the way down.
QB Mason Rudolph took over and found WR Cody White, Freiermuth and WR Anthony Johnson on three consecutive reps.
CATCH OF THE DAY: Haden made a leaping tip of a pass thrown by QB Dwayne Haskins in 11-on-11 "Defense-Drives No. 1" and then caught the ball while falling to the turf. He got up quickly and started running down the field the other way.
OFFENSE: Johnson also dropped a fade from Roethlisberger on an under-center/play-action pass in "Offense-Red Zone/Short Yardage/Goal Line" … White made an arms-extended, toe-tapping grab of a laser from Rudolph in the back of the end zone in 11-on-11 "Offense Team-Red Zone" … Rookie OT Dan Moore Jr. replaced RT Zach Banner as "Offense-Team Red Zone" progressed … Haskins fumbled a shotgun snap in an 11-on-11 session.
DEFENSE: CB Arthur Maulet remained the first-team nickel-CB (CB Antoine Brooks, Jr. didn't practice after returning from an extended absence on Wednesday). CB Cam Sutton also got nickel work with the first-team defense (CB James Pierre replaced Sutton outside). Sutton got the majority of nickel snaps in 11-on-11 "Defense-Red Zone." Undrafted rookie Shakur Brown played the nickel with the second-team defense and in offensive periods .… LBs Marcus Allen and rookie Buddy Johnson shared second-team reps behind starters Joe Schobert and Devin Bush (Allen handled the majority of the work) … Pierre and Justin Layne ran with the second team at CB … OLBs Malvin Ingram III, Alex Highsmith and Cassius Marsh were deployed on occasion standing up in the middle of the formation in the base defense during 11-on-11 work.
SPECIAL TEAMS: WRs Ray-Ray McCloud and Mathew Sexton and RB Anthony McFarland were deployed as punt returners. McFarland was positioned as a kickoff returner … Christian Kuntz snapped with the first team and Kam Canaday with the second team during place-kicking drills.
MEDICAL FILE: Among those who either didn't participate or only took part in position drills or individual work were WR Chase Claypool, Brooks, OLB T.J. Watt and DE Stephon Tuitt.
X's & Os: Crowd noise was used during defensive periods in advance of Saturday night's home game against Detroit … Claypool was on the field for the second consecutive day after getting hurt late in Tuesday's practice. He caught some passes in the far end zone from Rudolph, QB Dwayne Haskins and QB Josh Dobbs during special teams work. Johnson and FS Minkah Fitzpatrick also took advantage of the extra time to work on their ball skills.
