Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 Training Camp Takeaways No.10: Rodgers to Wilson part two, and the post-Minkah plan begins to take shape

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 8:12 PM ET

The Steelers had a lighter day of practice on Wednesday as they prepare for what will be their first preseason game on Saturday.

But that doesn't mean that we were without takeaways, including a connection that's heating up on offense and the post-Minkah Fitzpatrick plan starting to take place...

Injury Notes

WR Calvin Austin III still out of practice
TE Jonnu Smith returns despite knee soreness
LT Calvin Anderson out of practice again
EDGE Alex Highsmith still out with groin
QB Will Howard has a splint on his pinky
CB Cory Trice remains out
DB Donte Kent remains out
No Darius Slay or Jalen Ramsey. Ramsey missed the last two days, has a sleeve on his leg
DL Derrick Harmon is out as well
No Cole Holcomb

The headliner here is obviously Will Howard, who is now slated to miss the preseason with a broken finger. Mike Tomlin confirmed as much after practice while adding that Howard does not need surgery and is week-to-week.

Coach Tomlin would add that Derrick Harmon is banged up and that the veterans who were missing simply received rest days. As for who plays on Saturday, we should have that info from Coach Tomlin soon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by A to Z Sports Steelers (@atozsportssteelers)

Key Practice Takeaways

Steelers' offense wins 7 Shots back-to-back days. Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf hook up multiple times on slant and mesh route TD
Another Rodgers INT via a dropped pass, this time from Scotty Miller
Esezi Otomewo hits Kaleb Johnson in a supposed low-contact drill, causing a scuffle
More Roman Wilson and Aaron Rodgers connection
Juan Thornhill picks off Aaron Rodgers back-to-back days in the 2-minute drill

What's important here is the offense. Not only has the unit looked sharper to kick off the final full week of camp, but Roman Wilson and Aaron Rodgers continue to find common ground in team settings. Both of them needed big Week 3's in camp, and both have shown up so far, with the offense following suit.

As for the defense, a lot of talk has centered around what the team will do in the backend following the departure of Minkah Fitzpatrick. Well, with Juan Thornhill taking over the role of free safety, he's been doing just fine.

The interceptions have primarily been on tips and overthrows ("gotta have those" is the saying in defensive team meetings), but with the Steelers looking to play a lot of man coverage, it's up to Thornhill to be in the right place at the right time, and so far he's done that.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: