The Steelers lost to the Packers 51 to 34 in Green Bay before heading back to Heinz Field for the first time this pre-season to beat the Titans by the score of 16 to 6. The Steelers preseason record stands at 2-1 with the finale again at home on Thursday night against the Panthers. Don't expect much participation from starters. The regular season opener will be in Cleveland, a traditionally great match up for the Steelers since the Browns re-entered the league in '99.

QB: Neither QB Ben Roethlisberger nor QB Landry Jones played against the Packers. Roethlisberger survived a concussion scare when he hit his head on the turf in practice. He spent only a single day in the concussion protocol suggesting he was not concussed at all. He was not scheduled to play in Green Bay in any case. Roethlisberger was solid in his only exhibition action against the Titans. He completed 11 of 18 passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in first half action. Jones was not as impressive. He threw 9 passes, completing 6 for 44 yards with an interception. Unfortunately neither of the young quarterbacks on the roster have done well enough to grab the backup job. The Steelers traded up in the third round to take QB Mason Rudolph. He started against the Packers throwing an interception for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Rudolph was a combined 12 of 23 for 112 yards in the second and third preseason games. QB Josh Dobbs did not play against the Titans. He had better stats in Green Bay than Rudolph's combined numbers. Dobbs also threw a pick 6 on their first attempt, but rebounded albeit against backups. He ended up completing 12 of 18 passes for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns adding 27 yards on 5 rushes.

RB: The absence of RB LeVeon Bell continued as expected. He should sign his franchise tender for over $17 million before the regular season opener. RB James Conner is proving to be a more than adequate replacement showing marked development from last season. Except for OG Ramon Foster the starting offensive line was on the field with Conner and opened up some massive holes in Green Bay before struggling against the Titans. Conner had a 26 yard touchdown run among 4 carries for 57 yards before being held to 18 yards on 10 carries the following week. He showed his versatility against the Titans by catching 6 passes for 52 yards. RB Jaylen Samuels has made a compelling argument for a roster spot. He combined for 128 yards on 20 carries and 7 receptions in the two preseason games. He scored on the ground in Green Bay. Samuels versatility has not been utilized. He has been used as a backup running back only with no opportunities at either fullback or tight end. RB Fitzgerald Toussaint was his plodding self gaining 26 yards on 7 carries at Lambeau Field. Neither Toussaint nor RB Steven Ridley got any touches against the Titans. Toussaint continued to struggle in the role of kick returner.

WR: Just like the preseason opener the only catch of the night in Lambeau Field for WR JuJu Smith-Schuster went for a touchdown. This time though for just 4 yards. Smith-Schuster was then repeatedly targeted by Roethlisberger with 6 catches for 46 yards against the Titans. Smith-Schuster should still get plenty of opportunities when WR Antonio Brown returns. Brown will not play in the preseason which is unlikely to be an issue. WR James Washington exploded against the Packers with 5 catches for 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns. One of the touchdowns was a highlight reel contested catch in the endzone. Washington then hurt is quad before getting a reception versus Tennessee. Washington's injury is not considered serious. First game breakout free agent rookie WR Damoun Patterson has come back to earth. He caught 3 passes for 35 yards in Green Bay and then did not manage a catch in his debut at Heinz Field. WR Justin Hunter may have solidified his roster spot with a 32 yard touchdown from Roethlisberger. He totaled 3 receptions for 56 yards in his two games of work. After the third preseason game the Steelers acquired WR Ryan Switzer from the Raiders for the swap of a fifth for sixth round pick next season. Switzer will provide help in the slot and hopefully as a punt return.

TE: The tight ends as a whole can't stay healthy. TE Vince McDonald remains out with an foot injury. TE Xavier Grimble had wrist/thumb surgery and is also unavailable. TE Jesse James suffered a back contusion against the Titans after catching 2 passes for 17 yards. That leaves former Vikes sixth round draftee TE Bucky Hodges, TE Pharoah McKeever and Australlian TE Christian Scotland-Williamson. Scotland-Williamson seems destined to fill the extra practice squad spot earmarked for international players. McDonald expects to be ready for the regular season opener. Jones will hopefully also be OK by the opener. Go ahead and forget about Steelers tight ends in your fantasy draft. There is an outside chance McDonald could be useful later in the season perhaps as a bye week fill in. He'll need to get and stay healthy first.

K: Not even PK Chris Boswell played against the Packers. PK Matt Wile made a pair of extra points. There is no competition. Between the second and third preseason games Boswell was signed to a five year, $19.7 million contract extension. Boswell did not miss a kick and had 10 points against the Titans with Wile actually having a nice day punting. P Jordan Berry has been awful so far in the preseason, unfortunately a carry over from last season.

DEF/ST: The defense was shredded by the Packers. In the only possession played by QB Aaron Rodgers the Packers went 40 yards after a horrendous punt by Berry to take a 14 point lead. The defense was much better against the Titans. DE Stephon Tuitt stood out after being virtually non-existent in the first two preseason games. First round S Terrell Edmunds had an interception thanks in part to pressure provided by OLB Bud Dupree. OLB TJ Watt remained out with a hamstring injury suffered all the way back near the end of July. No players are more important to the defense than Dupree and Watt. Rookie free agent ILB Matthew Thomas continued his stellar play as the breakout star of the preseason and has a solid chance to make the roster. How much credit the defense as a whole actually deserves against the Titans is questionable. QB Marcus Mariota looked completely out of synch with TE Delanie Walker not in the lineup.

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