The 5: Steelers to watch at Jacksonville Jaguars
Every week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ games, Steel City Underground will analyze the depth chart, injury reports, and key matchups against their upcoming opponent in order to point out “The 5” – Steelers players to watch.
The Pittsburgh Steelers had quite an outing in their first preseason game, but this coming Saturday, August 20, they’ll be on the road to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Steelers have kept busy with transactions and working players in-and-out of the rotation as camp continues with readiness a priority.
Here is my list of five players fans should keep their eyes on in the team’s second-of-three total preseason exhibitions.
Larry Ogunjobi
The Steelers brought Ogunjobi in to give the defensive line more pop and depth, especially as defensive coordinator Teryl Austin looks to improve their run defense.
Although Ogunjobi wasn’t initially ready to practice when he arrived at camp, he’s deep into the preparations for Jacksonville this week.
On Wednesday, Ogunjobi said after practice, “As a player, as a person, I pride myself on my work ethic and my consistency in trying to be great and every day I am going to bring that…”
As a defensive tackle, Ogunjobi has registered 229 tackles, 21.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and one pass defense in 76 games through his first five seasons.
Pressley Harvin
On Tuesday, the Steelers made several cuts and roster moves ahead of their requisite roster limit of 85. They’ll need to get to 80 by August 30. One cut was punter Cameron Nizialek. Harvin stepped up right away in practices.
After a rookie season that saw him deal with some personal issues, Harvin looks ready to be more consistent on special teams this season. His hang time has caught the attention of the media this week.
During a period focused on special teams, Harvin reportedly booted a minimum of six punts for 60-plus yards, including a 70-yarder from inside his own end zone.
Although the punter position isn’t typically seen as the sexiest spot on a roster, Harvin being able to consistently pin opposing defenses deep and preventing run-backs will give the Steelers defense a leg-up on their competition, no pun intended.
Damontae Kazee
Since joining the Steelers, Kazee has been making himself known in training camp and made some nice plays at safety during Pittsburgh’s first preseason game.
Kazee had five total tackles against the Seattle Seahawks and looks to be pushing for a starting safety spot.
Although Terrell Edmunds was not on the field during the first preseason outing, indications are that Kazee and Edmunds are competing more with veteran Karl Joseph placed on the reserve/injured list.
#Steelers just did some rotation with Terrell Edmunds and Damontae Kazee on the first team defense. #Steelers
— Josh Rowntree (@JRown32) August 17, 2022
Kazee has an up-tempo motor and was unafraid to meet opponents on the edge against Seattle. Competition typically breeds improvement, so he’ll be worth keeping track of in Jacksonville.
Mitchell Trubisky
After the performances Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett put together in the first preseason game, Trubisky may have been put on notice to up his game. He was brought to Pittsburgh to give the quarterbacks group veteran leadership and presumably be QB1.
Although Trubisky was respectable while leading the Pittsburgh offense downfield for its first series touchdown, he has competition breathing down his neck.
Trubisky went 3-4 in Wednesday’s practice with the first team offense, throwing one interception, before he started running scout team with Chris Oladokun as the team did game-planning during the team period
Meanwhile Rudolph and Pickett worked in with Pickett mainly see reps with the second team offense. Rudolph hit Cody White on a 30-yard play in stride in front of Justin Layne‘s coverage that got people talking. Pickett was working against the first team defense in 11-on-11 drills and was perfect in completions.
Trubisky needs to set himself apart with reps he gets against Jacksonville if he hopes to keep from sliding in the depth chart.
Mike Tomlin said Kenny Pickett has gotten most of the second team reps in practice this week because he is going to have an elevated role against Jacksonville.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 17, 2022
Najee Harris
If the second-year running back gets his way, he’ll see some time on the field in Jacksonville. Harris has been vocal that he’s ready to go.
“I do want reps and I do want carries. I don’t want my first live action to be against the Bengals.”
Harris has watched Anthony McFarland and Jaylen Warren in action, even though Master Teague suffered an injury, and would love to get in and mix it up. Whether Coach Tomlin will agree remains to be seen.
If Harris does get into the lineup, it will be exciting to see how much he’s improved after his inaugural season in Pittsburgh and an off-season that reportedly saw the running back focusing on the nuances of his game.
