For decades, season-ticket holders complained that they had to pay for a pair of preseason games to secure the rights to attend the home regular-season contests. The advent of the 17-game schedule means every other year each team has only one preseason game.

For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that one opportunity for home fans to see their team in person comes at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Whether you’re at Acrisure Stadium or at home watching on TV, here are five things to look out for:

1. Junior’s debut

The only healthy member of the Steelers’ well-regarded draft class yet to appear in a game is Joey Porter Jr., who sat out the Aug. 11 win at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because of an ankle injury. The cornerback drafted No. 32 overall out of Penn State will make his pro debut in the same stadium where he remembers watching his father play his home games.

Porter has looked the part of a starting outside cornerback during training camp practices, even if his high-profile matchups with George Pickens haven’t always gone his way. With the Buffalo Bills expected to play their starters for several series, Porter could be matched up against Stefon Diggs or Gabe Davis. That could provide more clues as to whether he’s ready to step into a prominent role when the regular season begins.

That’s a crucial question in regards to the Steelers’ prospects in 2023. If coaches decide Porter needs more time before he can be trusted, the cornerbacks corps suddenly becomes the thinnest unit on the team. Porter proving he is prepared for the rigors of the NFL opens up more possibilities for the secondary, such as Patrick Peterson moving to nickel/slot or safety.

2. First things first

Against the Bucs, the Steelers’ first-team offense executed a touchdown drive with near-surgical precision. For the second preseason game, coach Mike Tomlin said the starters will play “more.” Though he was low on specifics, it’s expected Kenny Pickett & Co. will be on the field at least well into the second quarter, with some playing perhaps as much as the entire first half.

It would be unrealistic to expect 10-play, 83-yard touchdown drives every time they get the ball like they did during the first possession of the game in Tampa Bay. But if Pickett, Pickens, Diontae Johnson and the offensive line can look as sharp as they last week, it would provide another encouraging sign for the first full season of the Pickett era.

3. Say Watt?

The first-team defense will play extensively, too. It was during a preseason game at Acrisure Stadium last season that then-reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt suffered a knee injury that limited him to 10 games in the regular season.

Watt, defensive lineman Cameron Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick will receive Hall of Fame consideration someday, and none likely needs to play during the preseason. But each, to some degree, agrees with Tomlin that it’s wise to get some game reps in preparation for games that count.

While avoiding injury might be Objective No. 1, shaking off rust and fine-tuning communication and chemistry are what the veteran defenders are out to accomplish against Buffalo. Fitzpatrick, in particular, has a handful of new mates in the secondary to mesh with: Porter Jr., Chandon Sullivan, Peterson and Keanu Neal.

4. Calvin and jobs

Calvin Austin III had the longest rush (17 yards) and reception (a 67-yard touchdown) of the game during his pro debut last week. The second-year receiver who missed all of last season because of a foot injury figures to get a chance to show his worth with Pickett and the starters this week.

He also will get an in-game shot to earn the Steelers’ punt-returner gig, Tomlin said. The Steelers have let their incumbent punt returner go after each of the past two seasons, although former All-Pro returner Gunner Olszewski remains on the roster. In an ideal world, the Steelers likely prefer that the younger, cheaper and faster Austin proves adept and reliable at returning punts so he can perform those duties when the real games start.

5. BJ’s next plays

First-round pick Broderick Jones played eight more offensive snaps than any other Steelers player against Tampa Bay, a clear indication the Steelers are trying to expose the talented offensive tackle to as much NFL game work as they can. Jones entered the game in the second quarter at left tackle and finished it there, playing 78% of the Steelers’ offensive plays.

With each passing day, it seems less likely Jones will start the regular-season opener Sept. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers. Still, the degree of Jones’ development is of significant priority to the Steelers’ future. According to Pro Football Focus, Jones allowed two pressures and one sack among 29 pass-block snaps in Tampa Bay. Expect Jones to see plenty of action at left tackle again Saturday.

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