3 Steelers defenders to watch at training camp
DT Cameron Heyward
While rookie DT Derrick Harmon will command much of the attention at training camp, the success of the Steelers' defensive line could depend on how much 36-year-old DT Cameron Heyward has left in the tank. Heyward is coming off arguably the greatest season of his career, earning his fourth First-Team All-Pro selection in the process — but Father Time waits for no man. How one of the greatest Steelers defenders continues to defy the process remains a mystery — and Latrobe may offer the first glimpse at how many miles Heyward has left.
CB Jalen Ramsey
One of the best cornerbacks of his generation, the ever-versatile Jalen Ramsey will serve as a focal point for the Steelers' re-tooled secondary. It's been heavily speculated that his ability to line up all over the secondary will play a major role in replacing Pittsburgh's former safety, Minkah Fitzpatrick — with fans potentially getting their first glimpse at training camp as to where Ramsey will play: outside, in the slot, at safety, or any combination of the three.
FS Juan Thornhill
Following Fitzpatrick's Steel City exit, the next man up to take the starting free safety spot is two-time Super Bowl champion and former Chiefs FS Juan Thornhill. His past two seasons with the Browns didn't go his way, but he's set to play on arguably the best defense of his career — and steel sharpens steel, after all. The starting free safety role seems like it's Thornhill's to lose at this point — and it could very well hinge on his performance in Latrobe.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers training camp: 3 defensive players to watch in Latrobe

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sterling Sharpe gives fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother Shannon his gold jacket
Sterling Sharpe stood at the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother. Shannon Sharpe had given Sterling his first Super Bowl ring and now big brother was returning the favor on stage after the crowning moment of his football career. 'This is why I played football,' Sterling said, referring to his younger brother, who wrapped his arm around him and had tears streaming down his face. 'This is why I got out of bed; it wasn't work. It was because of this right here. Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I've ever received is the Super Bowl ring. ... I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: 'Please, God, let him get another.' God blessed him with two. 'The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family. I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege. ... for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.' Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason. Sterling Sharpe averaged 85 catches and 1,162 yards, finishing with 65 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The wide receiver was named to five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. A neck injury cut his career short and he waited a long time to get the call from the Hall. Shannon Sharpe, who played tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, was inducted in 2011. They are the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jared Allen was the first player among the new class to take the stage after Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas led the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to former Bills coach Marv Levy, who turns 100 on Sunday. Wearing his trademark cowboy hat, Allen talked about his motivation for success. 'Why is what makes you different; it's your long game,' he said. 'It's the motivation that drives you to do all necessary action steps to achieve your goal. My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness. ... I apply my why to everything in my life, to my walk with Christ, my marriage and being a father.' Jared Allen made five Pro Bowls, was a four-time All-Pro and had 136 sacks in 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. His final game was Super Bowl 50, a loss by Carolina against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Eric Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders, was presented by one of his four sons. Allen, who had 54 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns, gave the obligatory 'Fly! Eagles! Fly!' to support the Super Bowl champions who drafted him in 1988. 'I grew up in Philadelphia. I became a man there. I have a special gratitude for the organization,' Allen said. Allen also thanked current Raiders owner Mark Davis, who was in attendance. 'Al Davis had a statement: 'Commitment to excellence,' Allen said. 'It's all over our building in Las Vegas. We are trying to make sure we fulfill that destiny, we fulfill what Al Davis was about.' Gates closed out the day with a 23-minute speech that began with him saying he wouldn't cry but included several emotional moments. Gates, who was presented by Chargers owner Dean Spanos, never played a single down of college football yet ended up becoming the 23rd of 382 Hall of Famers who were undrafted by NFL teams. He thanked former Chargers tight ends coach Tim Brewster for discovering him after he led Kent State's basketball team to the Elite Eight. 'Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team. He was adamant that I'd be All-Pro in three years,' Gates said. 'You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you're ready to take advantage and you're ready for the opportunity. Thank you to Coach Tim Brewster and Coach Marty Schottenheimer. They gave me an opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, Coach Tim Brewster, NFL teams and NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.' Gates played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, finishing with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 TDs. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was All-Pro three times, the first in just his second season. ____ AP NFL:


USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Steelers' Cory Trice, Calvin Anderson receive troubling injury news
The bad news keeps on coming — as Steelers HC Mike Tomlin shared a health update on CB Cory Trice and OT Calvin Anderson. Following training camp practice on Saturday, Tomlin briefed reporters on the availability of Trice and Anderson — both of whom suffered injuries at Friday Night Lights practice. According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, the Steelers head coach shared that their injuries were considered more serious than day-to-day — hardly the news fans want to hear a week out from preseason. Trice is dealing with a hamstring injury — which is both unfortunate in timing and very concerning for his odds of surviving the final roster cuts. Anderson figures to serve as the Steelers' top backup offensive tackle — and his soft tissue injury could force Pittsburgh to bring in additional offensive linemen to bolster depth. We at Steelers Wire will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available — and hopefully both Steelers recover in time to put a stamp on what's been an exciting training camp so far. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.


Los Angeles Times
21 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Sterling Sharpe, Antonio Gates among players enshrined in Pro Football Hall of Fame
CANTON, Ohio — Sterling Sharpe stood at the podium a few feet from his bronze bust, took off his new gold jacket and gave it to his fellow Pro Football Hall of Fame brother. Shannon Sharpe had given Sterling his first Super Bowl ring and now big brother was returning the favor on stage after the crowning moment of his football career. 'This is why I played football,' Sterling said, referring to his younger brother, who wrapped his arm around him and had tears streaming down his face. 'This is why I got out of bed; it wasn't work. It was because of this right here. Before I leave you, I want to do two things. The most precious gift I've ever received is the Super Bowl ring. ... I wear this ring because of love. You gave me this not knowing you were going to get another one. And I prayed to God: 'Please, God, let him get another.' God blessed him with two. 'The second thing is, the last time I was here, you said that you were the only pro football player in the Hall of Fame that could say that you were the second-best player in your own family. I agree with that statement, but it would be an extreme privilege. ... for you to be the only player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with two gold jackets. You see, you have to learn to follow before you can lead.' Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Antonio Gates joined Sterling Sharpe as the Class of 2025 was inducted into football immortality during a ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, where the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Detroit Lions 34-7 on Thursday night to kick off the NFL preseason. Sterling Sharpe averaged 85 catches and 1,162 yards, finishing with 65 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. The wide receiver was named to five Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro honors three times. A neck injury cut his career short and he waited a long time to get the call from the Hall. Shannon Sharpe, who played tight end for the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, was inducted in 2011. They are the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Jared Allen was the first player among the new class to take the stage after Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas led the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to former Bills coach Marv Levy, who turns 100 on Sunday. Wearing his trademark cowboy hat, Allen talked about his motivation for success. 'Why is what makes you different; it's your long game,' he said. 'It's the motivation that drives you to do all necessary action steps to achieve your goal. My why can be summed up in three things: fear, respect and the pursuit of greatness. ... I apply my why to everything in my life, to my walk with Christ, my marriage and being a father.' Jared Allen made five Pro Bowls, was a four-time All-Pro and had 136 sacks in 12 seasons with the Chiefs, Vikings, Bears and Panthers. His final game was Super Bowl 50, a loss by Carolina against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Eric Allen, a six-time Pro Bowl cornerback who played for the Eagles, Saints and Raiders, was presented by one of his four sons. Allen, who had 54 career interceptions, including eight returned for touchdowns, gave the obligatory 'Fly! Eagles! Fly!' to support the Super Bowl champions who drafted him in 1988. 'I grew up in Philadelphia. I became a man there. I have a special gratitude for the organization,' Allen said. Allen also thanked current Raiders owner Mark Davis, who was in attendance. 'Al Davis had a statement: 'Commitment to excellence,' Allen said. 'It's all over our building in Las Vegas. We are trying to make sure we fulfill that destiny, we fulfill what Al Davis was about.' Gates closed out the day with a 23-minute speech that began with him saying he wouldn't cry but included several emotional moments. Gates, who was presented by Chargers owner Dean Spanos, never played a single down of college football yet ended up becoming the 23rd of 382 Hall of Famers who were undrafted by NFL teams. He thanked former Chargers tight ends coach Tim Brewster for discovering him after he led Kent State's basketball team to the Elite Eight. 'Tim Brewster saw something special in me. He was pretty sure that I could make the team. He was adamant that I'd be All-Pro in three years,' Gates said. 'You see, the thing is when switching sports or careers for that matter, it can be life-changing. The unexpected are often the most powerful ones because it can completely redirect your life if you're ready to take advantage and you're ready for the opportunity. Thank you to Coach Tim Brewster and Coach Marty Schottenheimer. They gave me an opportunity to play tight end in the NFL. Because of you, Coach Tim Brewster, NFL teams and NFL scouts will never look at college basketball players the same again.' Gates played all 16 of his NFL seasons with the Chargers, finishing with 955 catches for 11,841 yards and 116 TDs. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was All-Pro three times, the first in just his second season.