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Steelers notebook: Keith Butler letting young defense play in preseason

Offensive coordinator Todd Haley got many of his starters out of the second preseason game against the Jaguars after one series. Most other starters exited after the second or third series and played a maximum of 20 snaps.

Keith Butler’s starters aren’t getting the same treatment. The new defensive coordinator played many of his starters deep into the second quarter and one of them into the third quarter against the Jaguars.

It was all by design. Butler said his young players need the game experience to improve.

Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier, who missed eight games last season as a rookie, has played 68 snaps in the first two preseason games, including 41 Friday night in Jacksonville.