It was only a one-on-one drill that featured wide receivers starting at the 5-yard-line and running routes into the end zone against a single defensive back in coverage.
Still, George Pickens made the type of jaw-dropping catch for the Pittsburgh Steelers that has become standard this camp, whether it’s in individual matchups, the seven shots 2-point simulation or other 11-on-11 activities.
Despite facing blanket coverage from cornerback James Pierre, Pickens made a one-handed grab in the left corner of the end zone that brought cheers from the crowd Wednesday afternoon at Saint Vincent College.
Kenny Pickett looked left for Pickens as the second-year receiver veered toward the far corner with Pierre on his heels. Pickens held off Pierre with his right hand, then raised his left to grab the football in the air. Pickens never lost his grip and continued to hold the ball aloft as he landed in the end zone.
The catch was the highlight of the individual period that followed seven shots, in which Pickens made the grab that gave the offense a 4-3 victory against the defense.
Pickett managed just one score during his four snaps with the first-team offense that began with an emphasis on the running game. That score came when Jaylen Warren plunged into the end zone on the third snap. On the previous two plays, respectively, Najee Harris was stopped for a 2-yard loss by Kwon Alexander and for a run that was stopped short of the goal line.
On his fourth snap, Pickett looked for Diontae Johnson in the back of the end zone, but the high throw ticked off the receiver’s fingertips.
With Mitch Trubisky running the second team, Anthony McFarland scored on a run up the middle that was aiding by the pile being pushed into the end zone. Warren returned to the field and scored on a delayed handoff to make it 3-3.
For the second day in a row, coach Mike Tomlin called his starters back onto the field. Pickett connected with Pickens on a slant route, with the receiver getting in front of cornerback Patrick Peterson for the decisive score.
• With defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi out with a foot injury, Isaiahh Loudermilk took the initial snaps with the first-team defense, lining up next to Cameron Heyward. Elandon Roberts and Alexander were the inside linebackers. Chandon Sullivan was the slot corner and Damontae Kazee the strong safety.
• Other one-on-one highlights: Trubisky threaded a fade to tight end Pat Freiermuth, who kept his feet in play while catching the ball over Minkah Fitzpatrick. Rookie Darnell Washington made a nice cut inside and beat Kazee for a score.
• During a team run period, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin appeared to be concerned about his group being late to line up on one play and yelled, “The center’s got his hands on the ball. Let’s go.”
•Inside linebacker Cole Holcomb briefly dazed Pickens with a hit on a reception across the middle. Pickens got up, left the field for a play and returned to finish practice.
• In a 7-on-7 session, Roberts had an interception when the ball popped from Calvin Austin’s grasp. Miles Killebrew also had an interception when Cody White slipped on his route. Gunner Olszewski dropped a low pass, then pounded the grass twice in frustration.
• Practice ended with the offense trying to score from the defense’s 25. It took two plays for the first team to reach the end zone. A Pickens-to-Johnson completion across the middle netted 22 yards. Harris covered the final 3 yards on a run. The second-team offense scored on a third-and-10 pass from the 11 when Trubisky found tight end “Hot Rod” Williams in the back of the end zone.
Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)