PITTSBURGH — With a very physical game against the Washington Commanders last Sunday in the books and another coming up against the Baltimore Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers did not wear pads for practice on Wednesday. But that’s been the exception rather than the rule through the first part of the 2024 season.
The Steelers have worn pads on more Wednesdays that not through the first half of the season, as head coach Mike Tomlin has been keen to use most of their 14 total total padded practices as allowed by the NFL CBA. Teams are permitted to wear pads 11 times in the first 11 weeks and just three times over the final seven weeks.
Mike Tomlin has had his teams in pads on Sept. 4, Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 23 and Nov. 6. This past Wednesday was the fourth one in which they did not wear pads — one of which was an indoor practice day due to the weather.
The topic came up during Wednesday’s episode of the Pat McAfee Show, as the New York Jets have made headlines for their usage of pads at practice this week in response to tackling issues. CBS Sports analyst J.J. Watt gave credit to the Steelers for their amount of tackling they do, staring with training camp and continuing through the regular season.
“You know who does a lot? The Steelers,” Watt said. “They do it all the time. … The standard is the standard.”
“It will make you better,” former NFL linebacker A.J. Hawk added. “It can definitely help you become a better tackler, but the risk-reward. How many guys will you lose from possibly doing that.”
"The Pittsburgh Steelers are tackling to the ground at practice" ~ @JJWatt #PMSLive https://t.co/wvYn2Oo1zF pic.twitter.com/ULWrEg8MKe
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 13, 2024