The Pittsburgh Steelers will begin their preseason slate this week when the team hosts the Houston Texans in the preseason Week 1 contest on Friday night.
When the two teams take the field for the exhibition opener, the Steelers' defense is going to face a stiff test right off the bat. According to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime, the Texans will play their starters against Pittsburgh.
The Texans have already played an exhibition contest, which came last week in the Hall of Fame Game, but they didn't play most of their starters.
"I truly believe that a guy needs to get reps in a preseason game," head coach DeMeco Ryans said Monday. "We don't go to the ground as you see the way we practice. We try to keep guys up and be as safe as possible in practice. I think everybody needs the opportunity to go to the ground a couple of times in the game then get up and dust yourself off and just know you're good. So you just have to go through and play live reps in football before live action comes in September. So you'll see our [starters] go out and get reps this week versus Pittsburgh."
While it remains to be seen how the Steelers will approach the game in terms of their own starters, this will be a fantastic early test, as the Texans sport a talented roster on both sides of the ball.
On top of incumbents Tank Dell and Nico Collins, the Texans added star receiver Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Buffalo Bills earlier this offseason. Along with Stroud, that trio will give Pittsburgh's secondary all it can handle.
Houston has also beefed up its defense, adding edge rushers Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, all of whom join impressive youngsters like defensive end Will Anderson and cornerback Derek Stingley.
At cornerback, the Steelers are set to start 2023 standout rookie Joey Porter Jr. and Donte Jackson, who the team acquired in a trade that sent wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers.
Who starts in the slot remains to be seen, but it could very well be 2024 undrafted free agent Beanie Bishop, who has been outstanding in training camp thus far.
All eyes will be on the Steelers' quarterbacks. Pittsburgh is currently going through a competition at the position between Russell Wilson, who is the favorite to start, and Justin Fields. However, that situation is at least a bit murky, as Wilson hasn't been able to take part fully in training camp because of a calf injury.
We may only see the starters on the field for a series or two, but it will still be a good measuring stick for the Steelers and will hopefully provide some clarity for Pittsburgh's most important position battles.
