Steelers camp report: Kendrick Green continues to take plenty of fullback reps
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Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that it’s one thing to see his erstwhile starting center Kendrick Green take reps at fullback or H-back in practice but that it will be “significant” to see that play out in an actual game.
That leaves open the possibility the 6-foot-4, 315-pound Green will be lined up in the backfield at some point during Friday’s Steelers preseason opener at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“He’s a young guy that’s professional and wired in and is urgent in everything that he does,” Tomlin said Wednesday at Saint Vincent College. “I’d be making it up if I told you I’ve seen some shift based on the things that we’re asking him to do positionally. He’s always wired in.”
Again Wednesday, for the fourth consecutive practice, Green was taking reps as a “skill” eligible player. He lined up, at times, as a traditional fullback. At others, as an in-line tight end. Sometimes, he he would go in motion from one of those spots to the others. During one 11-on-11 play, Green sealed Pro Bowl outside linebacker Alex Highsmith to allow for a successful gain on a running play.
“This is the time of year to experiment,” assistant general manager Andy Weidl said Wednesday in reference to Green. “…We’re getting creative with Kendrick, and his willingness has been fun to watch.”
Green still has been taking turns as the second- or third-team center during recent practices. The Steelers’ starting center during his rookie 2021 season, he lost that gig by the playoff game that year and then during last summer’s camp lost out in a competition with Kevin Dotson to start at left guard.
After the Steelers signed a pair of veteran free-agent interior offensive linemen, Green’s best chance to make the team might be by way of his versatility.
“Every camp is important for me, but this one is a little different considering what position I’ve been in the last few years, kind of trending down,” Green said. “So it’d be nice to figure out a way to bounce back.”
The Steelers are without a true fullback on the roster.
“I want that confetti raining on us come February (after winning the Super Bowl),” Green said, “so whatever I gotta do to be a part of that to help, that’s what I’m going to do. So (fullback/H-back) is what Coach asked me to do, so that’s what I’ve got to do.”
Special guest
Former NFL All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. was a guest at practice Wednesday. Decked out in Steelers gear, Smith had a specific task: He was holding the down marker during team drills.
Smith, who had 1,031 career receptions over 16 seasons for the Carolina Panthers and Baltimore Ravens, had an NFL Network camera crew documenting his afternoon.
At one point, Smith was approached by Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson. Smith responded by appearing to give Johnson advice/counsel.
Injury report
The issues at safety aren’t the only injuries affecting the Steelers as training camp hit the two-week mark Wednesday. Rookies outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hip flexor) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (ankle) were very limited participants, particularly in team drills. Veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi also appeared to have his day end early because of an undisclosed ailment
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