2017 Preseason Game #3
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) vs. Indianapolis Colts (0-2)
Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017 – 7:30 p.m. ET Heinz Field – Pittsburgh, Pa.
Television: KDKA/NFL Network (Bob Pompeani, Charlie Batch, Missi Matthews)
Radio: Steelers Radio Network/102.5 WDVE-FM (Bill Hillgrove, Tunch Ilkin, Craig Wolfley)
All-Time Preseason Series: Steelers lead 5-4 (Baltimore/Indianapolis)
Last Preseason Meeting: 2012 (Pittsburgh) - Steelers 26, Colts 24
On Saturday night the Steelers will have their dress rehearsal as they prepare for the 2017 NFL season. The third preseason game always is designated as such game. Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, and Maurkice Pouncey will see their first and only action of the preseason against the Colts.
"Looking just to click, move the ball, and pick up first downs," said Roethlisberger. "Obviously getting in the end zone is always a big deal. We want to move the ball. I'll probably go two series."
In the third preseason game last season against the Saint, the Steelers offense came out strong and effective. Brown had a 57 yard touchdown pass while Roethlisberger quickly completed 12 of 17 passes for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns including the one to Brown. That was all that Mike Tomlin needed to see from those guys. Landry Jones stepped in and continued the solid night as the Steelers went on to win 27-14.
The offensive line will hopefully get a few series together for the first time this season. Pouncey has missed the first two games and much of training camp with a lower leg injury. Ramon Foster has been dealing with a concussion but both could be back on Saturday.
Who will start at conerback?
Ross Cockrell was replaced by Coty Sensabaugh opposite of Artie Burns during practice on Wednesday. Cockrell had a poor showing against Atlanta last week. Rookie Reggie Davis burned Cockrell on a 44 yard catch and run which turned out to be the longest play of the game.
Sensabaugh left Tennessee for Los Angeles last season on a 3 year 15 million dollar deal. He lasted three entire games before the Rams released him outright. The Giants signed him to a one year deal and he finished up the season in New York. Without much interest on the free agent market he signed a two year deal with the Steelers.
"He's a savvy veteran guy," Tomlin said about Sensabaugh during his Thursday press conference. "He's very strong above the shoulders.""Coty's done enough to merit consideration. That's what this process is about," Tomlin said.
The Steelers haven't been able to have as much competition at the cornerback position as they would have liked. Senquez Golson injured his hamstring during the third practice of training camp and rookie third round pick Cam Sutton just returned from an injury that has held him out for three weeks.
Tomlin said that he was excited to add Sutton back 'into the mix' and that they would be able to see what he has in a short period of time. Sutton isn't in any danger of losing his roster spot, but his playing time will likely be limited throughout the early stages of the season. Burns went through the same situation last season after dealing with an injury during camp. Burns eventually worked himself into the starting lineup.
Time for the Steelers annual preseason cornerback trade
Late Wednesday night the Steelers aquired cornerback Deshaun Phillips for center Lucas Crowley. Phillips has much less of a pedigree than the two that preceeded him the last two years. He was signed as an underrated free agent by Dallas before making onto the Redskins 53 man roster. Phillips played in 11 games for Washington over the past two seasons.
To make room on the 90 man roster the Steelers waived/injured Antonio Crawford who was signed less than 24 hours ago.
