Harris, Heyward not taking part in minicamp, per Tomlin
Midway through the three-day mandatory minicamp, two of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ highest-profile players are sitting out drills.
Coach Mike Tomlin on Wednesday confirmed neither defensive lineman Cameron Heyward nor running back Najee Harris was participating in team drills at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
“Not anything that is going to be an issue whatsoever regarding health,” Tomlin said, referring to Harris, who was dressed in sweats on the field Wednesday.
“I know a lot about (Heyward and Harris). I know less about some of these others, and so I like to focus my energies on those that are working and not those that I am moving out of the way at times to see others.”
Heyward, 35, missed the first two weeks of voluntary organized team activities, saying on his podcast that his absence was related to negotiations as he enters the final season of his contract.
Harris also is on an expiring deal after the Steelers last month declined his 2025 contract option. He has not spoken with media since the end of last season.
Nickel for thoughts Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin did not tip his hand as to who will be the Steelers’ nickel/slot defensive back.
“Right now,” Austin said Wednesday, “we’re not quite sure.”
The gig might be the only “starting” spot up for grabs on the defense when training camp opens. The two players who most often lined up in the slot defensively for the Steelers last season — Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan — were let go over the offseason and remain free agents.
There was no obvious candidate on the roster to fill the role through the draft, although last week’s signing of veteran Cameron Sutton provides the highest-profile option yet.
“We’re going to work around that, and we’re going to audition, you know?” Austin said. “That’s been some area that we’ve had some issues trying to fill. So we’re looking forward to it. I think we’ve got some good young candidates in there. We’ve got a veteran candidate in Josiah (Scott), and we’ve got a young candidate in (undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop). We have some other guys that we know can play in there.
“So we’re going to let that thing shake out at camp, but I think it’s going to be a heck of a competition. I think whoever wins is going to help us be a better football team.”
Content with Cam Austin answered in the affirmative a follow-up about Sutton possibly playing the slot, referencing the eight-year veteran’s versatility. Sutton played for the Steelers from 2017-22 before signing with the Detroit Lions during last season.
The Lions, though, released Sutton in March after an arrest on domestic violence charges that involved him evading police for several weeks.
“We’ve got a relationship with Cam,” said Austin, who joined the Steelers coaching staff in 2019. “I’ve had him for four years, (and know) that he can do a lot of different things. He’s a really good pro and helps in the room. He helps on the field because he can do multiple things. And so, I think having him back is going to be really good for our room and for our team.”
