Steelers practice report: With one session left, Tomlin reflects on time at Saint Vincent
As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to hold their final practice of the summer at Saint Vincent College, coach Mike Tomlin reflected on his team’s three-week stay Wednesday afternoon.
Training camp, the 56th held by the Steelers at the Unity Township campus, will conclude Thursday with a workout that starts at 1:55 p.m. after initially being scheduled for the morning.
“Really awesome,” Tomlin said of the team’s time at Saint Vincent. “I can’t say enough about it, the intangible component of a destination camp. We realize we’re in the minority in today’s game, but we value the component of ‘team’ and the awesome things that happen in environments like this.”
The practice Thursday will be the 16th conducted during training camp. The Steelers haven’t had any workouts postponed because of weather issues. They returned to train at Saint Vincent in 2022 after a two-year absence caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Steelers are one of only seven teams that conduct training camp away from their home facility. Beginning next week, after the preseason game Saturday night against Buffalo, the Steelers will train at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“We are going to soak this up,” Tomlin said, “and we realize the real world is waiting on us here in a short number of days.”
For the penultimate practice, the Steelers had inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski of Bethel Park return to team activities. He had been out with a right shoulder injury. Tomlin said defensive back Tre Norwood, who has been bothered by a calf injury, did some limited participation.
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (foot) and guard/center Nate Herbig (shoulder) remain sidelined. Tomlin said Ogunjobi is “moving back closer to participation” and Herbig “needs a few days.”
Remembering Franco
Franco Harris’ jersey display — his number 32 was retired in December — will be revealed Saturday before the Steelers’ lone preseason home game. The game against Buffalo kicks off at 6:30 p.m.
The jersey display ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. in the Great Hall at Acrisure Stadium. Harris’ wife, Dana, and son, Dok, will be on hand, and they will serve as honorary captains for the game.
Harris died Dec. 20, a few days before his number was retired during the 50th anniversary celebration of his Immaculate Reception.
Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.
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