The Pittsburgh Steelers took part in their second practice of training camp on Friday and we were once again robbed of seeing Russell Wilson under center.
Wilson did not take part in practice yet again due to his calf injury, which has him considered day-to-day. He did see a slight uptick in participation, though, as he took part in stretching with the team, something he didn't do on Thursday.
Wilson told reporters after practice that the injury isn't serious and that he would play if there was a game. The veteran signal-caller also revealed how he suffered the injury, admitting that he hurt his calf while pushing a sled during the team's conditioning test on Wednesday.
While Wilson's status was a hot topic, that wasn't the only thing to talk about from Friday's practice. Here's the biggest takeaways a standouts from the second session of training camp.
Steelers takeaways, standouts from 2nd practice
Russell Wilson out again
Wilson sat for the second straight practice but assured everyone that his injury is not serious and that he would play if it were a game. He also revealed that his injury occurred while pushing a sled during conditioning tests on Wednesday.
"We were doing a sled-push thing and just tweaked it a little bit," Wilson said, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. "... It was the fourth, fifth time we did the sled push, I felt a little something. ... I feel good. It's nothing to panic about or to worry about at all."
Justin Fields' deep ball shines
Fields got the first-team reps once again and while his day certainly wasn't perfect, he was solid overall. As you'd expect, Fields shined with the deep ball and flashed his wheels on a read-option play. However, he went 1-for-5 during the "Seven Shots" portion of practice.
DeMarvin Leal continues to stand out
Leal is on the roster bubble this year after two lackluster seasons to start his career, but he might be turning the corner in 2024. Leal has been a standout in each of the first two days and is quickly making the case that he belongs on the roster.
DeMarvin Leal is flying around in a way I’ve not seen him in the past two years. Had a good first day. Just had a nice PBU at the line.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
Building up days will be important for him.
Beanie Bishop stands out with the ones
An undrafted free agent, Bishop has been running with the first-team offense in the slot early on and is making the most of his opportunities, as he's shined in coverage.
Beanie Bishop looks GOOD in coverage again today. Stays in the hip pocket of his man most of the time. #Steelers
— Christopher Carter (@CarterCritiques) July 26, 2024
Steelers tried to get it to Van Jefferson again towards the back pylon out of the slot. It’s incomplete. Beanie Bishop in good coverage.
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) July 26, 2024
3-1 defense.
Troy Fautanu gets first-team reps
While he wasn't with the first-team offense all day, Fautanu did see at least some reps with the group, working at right tackle. That was a change from Thursday, when the rookie ran with the twos.
And, with that, Broderick Jones was pushed to left tackle, giving us some insight into how the Steelers will utilize the young tackles down the road.
On fourth snap of Seven Shots, Broderick Jones moves to LT and Fautanu moves up to RT. Jones was at RT when first team came back out. Beanie Bishop got most snaps at slot corner.
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) July 26, 2024
Van Jefferson shines
Jefferson has made at least two notable plays on back-to-back days. First, he was the recipient of a Fields deep ball on Day 1, then he was responsible for the only score Fields notched in the "Seven Shots" portion of practice.
Van Jefferson is stating his case for the number 2 spot.
— Steelers Takeaways 🌗 (@PittsburghSport) July 26, 2024
So far, Jefferson appears to be the favorite for the No. 2 receiver role.
