Coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown will not play in the Steelers' preseason opener Friday night against the New York Giants, but all other healthy players will appear in some capacity.
A number of Steelers starters, however, have been nagged by injuries and held out of practice, including center Maurkice Pouncey (leg), tackle Alejandro Villanueva (concussion symptoms), linebackers Ryan Shazier and Bud Dupree, cornerback Artie Burns and safety Mike Mitchell. It is unlikely any of them will play against the Giants.
In addition, backup quarterback Landry Jones (abdominal) has been out for a week, meaning rookie Josh Dobbs will start at quarterback.
"At that position, you're defined by how you perform under certain circumstances" Tomlin said of Dobbs, their fourth-round draft choice. "I'm just interested in his game-day demeanor, not only with his fellow players but coaches as well."
The Steelers have been thin at cornerback with injuries to Burns, rookie third-round pick Cam Sutton and former No. 2 pick Senquez Golson (hamstring). Veteran Coty Sensabaugh, acquired in free agency, has been working with the first-team defense, and rookie Brian Allen and first-year free agent Mike Hilton have been getting a lot of reps.
Tomlin said several times that "one player's misfortune is another player's opportunity."
"We need guys on the field," he said. "Guys need to get on the field. There's value in practice."
