Dwayne Haskins became the latest former first-round flameout to sign with the Steelers in January. His signing came a little more than a year after the team also took a flyer on Paxton Lynch in 2019.
It makes perfect sense for a franchise that has an uncertain quarterback situation looming in the future.
It’s only been seven months since the Steelers signed Haskins, but it’s been clearly evident they view him in a much different manner than they did Lynch. Sure, Haskins is an ongoing reclamation project. And yes, he’s unlikely to ascend past being the No. 3 quarterback this year. But he sure made it sound like the Steelers have bigger plans for him in the future.
Haskins, who was selected with the No. 15 overall pick by Washington in 2019, was asked if he felt like Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game was his first tryout en route to becoming the next franchise quarterback.
“I felt like that the first day I got here,” Haskins said. “I’ve been told certain things. That’s between me and the coaches. I just have to go out there and prove I can play.”
The details of those conversations with the coaches were not divulged, but it’s been easy to see the coaches are giving Haskins every opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. He has been getting consistent reps with the second- and third-team offense in the first two weeks of training camp.
Mason Rudolph will start against the Cowboys on Thursday night, but Haskins will finish the first half and play into the third quarter. Coach Mike Tomlin had Haskins run the two-minute drill on Tuesday because he’ll be in the game at the end of the first half, and Haskins threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Johnson with plenty of time remaining on the clock.
It was another positive development for Haskins, who has been taking advantage of those extra reps he’s been getting in camp.
“I definitely feel comfortable,” said Haskins, who was signed to a reserve/futures contract in January after Washington cut him late last season following a string of off-the-field incidents and inconsistent play on the field. “When I first started training camp, I was trying to get into a rhythm and stuff, but two weeks in I feel comfortable playing the play and understanding certain adjustments and just how Ben does things, executing plays and checks.”
Tomlin hasn’t been shy about commenting on Haskins’ development. He said before practice Haskins had “grown leaps and bounds” since arriving seven months ago.
Haskins didn’t endear himself to his coaches or teammates in Washington when he violated COVID protocols and went to a strip club after a loss in December. It wasn’t his only mistake in Washington, but it was the final straw for team management and ultimately led to him becoming a free agent.
“I feel like I’ve grown a lot, just being a mature person,” he said. “It takes a lot of work. I’ve been getting in early, staying late, meeting with coaches, watching more film, talking to guys, just the small things where I can help the guys want to play for me.”
Attrition at tight end and running back
The Steelers are running low on tight ends after another one went down with an injury during Tuesday’s practice. Rookie second-round pick Pat Freiermuth injured his shoulder after tumbling to the ground after he made a catch.
Freiermuth, who had shoulder injuries at Penn State, was examined by team trainer John Noriwg and team doctor James Bradley on the sidelines. He took his pads off and watched the remaining portions of practice with ice on his shoulder.
Freiermuth’s injury comes a few days after starter Eric Ebron went down with an elbow injury. He hasn’t practiced the past three days. Zach Gentry also did not practice Tuesday, leaving Kevin Rader and Marcus Baugh to take all the reps.
When Baugh didn’t run the right pattern during a team period, it drew the ire of Roethlisberger. Baugh has been with the team for just a few days.
The Steelers might have to sign another tight end before Thursday or have fullback Derek Watt take some reps there along with Rader and Baugh in the Hall of Fame Game.
Backup running back Benny Snell did not practice for a second consecutive day, and the team signed Tony James-Brooks and released linebacker Jarvis Miller. Brooks-James played in three games for the Steelers during the 2019 season and played in one game with the Falcons last season. He practiced on Tuesday and will be available against the Cowboys.
Rookies to see plenty of action
There will definitely be a rookie flavor to the Hall of Fame Game. Najee Harris, Kendrick Green and Dan Moore are expected to start. Moore has been thrust into action at left tackle with Chukwuma Okorafor missing the first two weeks of camp with an injury.
Moore has struggled at times, including three losses to Alex Highsmith in one-on-one pass rushing drills during Tuesday’s practice. He’s also played a lot of reps against veteran Melvin Ingram.
“It’s a challenge, and it’s a challenge I’m not afraid of,” Moore said. “Coming in, I knew what awaited me. I think it’s helping me get better.”
Of all the rookies, Moore’s struggles have probably been the most evident, but he’ll get a chance to change the narrative against the Cowboys.
Ray Fittipaldo: rfittipaldo@post-gazette.com and Twitter @rayfitt1.
First Published: August 3, 2021, 9:48 p.m.