Friday, February 28, 2025, 11:31AM |  36°
MENU
Advertisement
Steelers linebackers go through drills during the first practice of training camp at the team’s South Side complex on Thursday, July 22, 2021.
1
MORE

Skinny Post: Steelers 'focused on football,' not NFL COVID-19 protocols

Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette

Skinny Post: Steelers 'focused on football,' not NFL COVID-19 protocols

Each day our Steelers insiders will provide you with the skinny on the biggest things we are watching in training camp.

The one big thing: What dominated the NFL news cycle more than anything Thursday was the same subject that did so in 2020. That would be the COVID-19 pandemic and the league’s response to it, with the latest development being that any team dealing with an outbreak will be forced to forfeit — as opposed to having its game moved around, rescheduled, postponed or any other machination that was invoked last season. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was asked about that after practice and gave a very Tomlin-esque answer.

“We just checked that box. We’ve really kind of moved on, to be honest with you,” Tomlin said. “That’s why we worked to be so proactive addressing it, so we’re not spending a whole bunch of time thinking or talking about it. It’s a non-issue for us, thankfully, due to the efforts and willingness of our guys. We’re focused on the football.” Ben Roethlisberger echoed fellow captain Cam Heyward in saying it’s every teammate’s individual choice what to put in their bodies, and that he’s not even aware of who is and isn’t vaccinated in the locker room.

Advertisement

Our take: When Tomlin last spoke on the COVID-19 efforts of his team, and specifically their vaccination rate, he called it a “competitive advantage” to have as many players fall in line as possible. The Steelers might not be at 100%, but they are near the top of the league in that category, so it may indeed be water under the bridge for them. Thursday showed that it’s far from a non-issue for teams such as the Bills and Cardinals.

Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins throws a pass at Steelers training camp, Saturday, July 24, 2021, at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
Ray Fittipaldo/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Skinny Post: What to make of the first Steelers depth chart

For Buffalo, slot wide receiver Cole Beasley has been vocal on Twitter about his unwillingness to get the vaccine. Now, another wideout has become the face of that issue in the NFL, and it’s a pass-catcher who’s a much bigger star than Beasley. Arizona’s DeAndre Hopkins sent and later deleted a tweet casting doubt on his status for this season if the league doesn’t relax its restrictions for unvaccinated players. By later that night, Hopkins left up a post that simply read “Freedom?” and eventually assured fans, “I got about 9 more years in me, y’all have a good day.” For the Steelers, who have had their fair share of distractions — social media and otherwise — under Tomlin, any non-news is good news.

What’s next: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Cam Heyward and defensive coordinator Keith Butler are set to meet with reporters following practice Friday, along with Tomlin, who likely won’t be as talkative as he was after Day 1. But we’ll also get to continue evaluating the offensive line situation, the position battles at center and slot cornerback, and the new No. 8 on defense — Melvin Ingram.

Brian Batko: bbatko@post-gazette.com and Twitter @BrianBatko.

Advertisement

First Published: July 23, 2021, 12:14 p.m.
Updated: July 23, 2021, 12:17 p.m.

RELATED
Steeler defensive tackle Cam Hayward (97) kicks off training camp by punting a football at the team’s South Side complex on Thursday, July 22, 2021. From left are quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7), defensive end Stephon Tuitt (91), Hayward; linebacker T.J. Watt; defensive end Tyson Alualu (94).
Brian Batko
Steelers have T.J. Watt in camp, but they don’t have him past this season (yet)
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (#7) chats with coach Mike Tomlin during training camp at the team’s South Side complex Thursday, July 22, 2021.
Ray Fittipaldo
Steelers notes: Vince Williams' retirement a shocker; Mike Tomlin confident in his young line
Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs drops back to pass during minicamp Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Heinz Field.
Brian Batko
Steelers mailbag: Quarterbacks, eleventh-hour adds and 17 games
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Melvin Ingram warms up before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Carson, Calif.
Adam Bittner
Steelers' fresh faces: Getting to know Melvin Ingram
SHOW COMMENTS (0)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic takes a timeout during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Washington Capitals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
1
sports
Penguins rally after Alex Nedeljkovic’s outburst, beat the Flyers in overtime
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard passes against Notre Dame during first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta.
2
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits at quarterback
An example of a Real ID-compliant non-commercial driver's license in Pennsylvania.
3
news
The Real ID deadline is approaching. Here's what Pennsylvanians should know.
Pittsburgh Steelers coach Arthur Smith walks off the field after losing to the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore Ravens won 28-14.
4
sports
Joe Starkey: Was Steelers GM Omar Khan kidding with his Arthur Smith comments?
The 1860s farmhouse at 317 James St. in Verona has a new gray and black color scheme.
5
life
Buying Here: Brooklyn chef snaps up an 1860s farmhouse priced at $230K
Steelers linebackers go through drills during the first practice of training camp at the team’s South Side complex on Thursday, July 22, 2021.  (Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette)
Steve Mellon/Post-Gazette
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story