I’ve discussed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ up-for-grabs gunner spots as much as anyone this offseason. You don’t have to tell me twice to nerd out about special teams. Though the Steelers dedicate plenty of time to working on punts and punt coverage during training camp special teams periods, it’s hard to evaluate performance. The reps aren’t live (no tackling), and the team filters in so many gunners, it’s hard to know who has the edge.
That made Friday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texans all the more critical. Special teams are a critical path to earning those final roster spots but really can only be judged in game-action, not half-speed camp reps.