Steelers stars will sit out again in preseason finale

Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Aaron Rodgers and several key players, including Cam Heyward and T. J. Watt, will not participate in the Steelers' preseason finale against the Carolina Panthers. With the regular season opener against the New York Jets approaching, Tomlin prioritizes player health and preparation over preseason game action. Rodgers, in his first year with Pittsburgh, expressed willingness to play but reiterated that health is the primary concern.

This decision is unusual for Tomlin, as past starting quarterbacks typically received some preseason game time. The Steelers' new secondary, bolstered by Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, could see their first action together against the Panthers. Tomlin noted that the group has shown promise during training camp but has yet to compete against an opposing team. The potential for valuable game experience hinges on the Panthers' choices regarding their own star players. Heyward returned to practice after a brief absence but will not be in the game, indicating ongoing contract negotiations.