Steelers Pound Najee Harris For 2 Touchdowns During 7 Shots Setting Tone For 2023 Season During First Padded Practice

We're almost a week into Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, PA, and Tuesday marks the first day with pads. That's when you really start to see the physicality and actual game-like practices. It's been a news-filled first few days of action, highlighted by some improved performances already from notable players. Our own Brandon "B-Wall" Wallace is boots on the ground throughout camp, which included Tuesday. 

In the latest rendition of the "7 Shots Drill", the defense reigned supreme. To start, running back Najee Harris began with touchdowns on the first two plays. Expectations are high for him entering his third NFL season, especially considering the upgrades the team made along the offensive line. Now, fully healthy after an injury-plagued 2022 campaign, it's time for him to take that next step forward. 

After the slow start, the defense proceeded to win four of the next five reps by keeping the offense out of the end zone. Quarterback, Kenny Pickett has already been looking better in Latrobe, as he heads into his second year. He's particularly been showing off the deep ball, a sign that the offense wants to create more splash plays in 2023. Still, the defense forced incompletions from Pickett on the next two plays. 

Backup quarterback, Mitch Trubisky followed that up with two incompletions of his own. As if it wasn't already known, Trubisky has that backup quarterback job locked up. Mason Rudolph has struggled in camp so far, as he has thrown several interceptions. Still, it didn't seem to be Trubisky's day on Tuesday. As for the other two plays, they both featured a few names to watch at the running back position. 

Steelers Biggest Takeaway From Training Camp So Far

If you haven't paid attention, it was announced on Monday that Alfonzo Graham would be out for the year with a shoulder injury. That was a big blow to the team's depth there, and they have signed two new running backs in the past day since. While in the aftermath of some unfortunate circumstances, the injury helped Anthony McFarland Jr.'s position in the race for the third-string running back job even more. 

To make matters better, he has looked stellar in camp thus far. In the first week of camp, he scored a few touchdowns and looked impressive. On Tuesday, he was stopped short of the goal line. Darius Hagans, an undrafted free agent like Graham, has been reported as a name to watch in camp. He scored a touchdown in one of the final reps of "7 Shots" on Tuesday, which should only help his case.

Furthermore, B-Wall reported that Dan Moore Jr. remains the guy at left tackle with the first team. That means rookie Broderick Jones continues to see second-team reps, which shouldn't be a surprise. On a positive note, Jones reportedly looked very good out there on Tuesday. Another player that looked good? Wide receiver, George Pickens. Just a day after an article came out in which he stated he was the best wideout in the league, he showed out. 

He backed that up on Tuesday, which included an insane catch on rookie cornerback Joey Porter Jr. By now, you know that to be Pickens' specialty. Speaking of, Porter got his first interception of camp against Trubisky. It seemed to be another encouraging day of camp, which included players on both sides of the ball stepping up and making big plays. 

What are your thoughts on the reports from the first few days of camp? Will Jones eventually win that left tackle job over Moore? Who do you expect to win the race for the third-string running back job? Share your thoughts from Tuesday's training camp action in the comment section below, yinz! Again, be sure to follow B-Wall as he keeps you updated throughout the team's time in Latrobe!

#SteelerNation