Starters to Play Longer, Tomlin Makes Moves on First Team

Look for a little more from the first string on Saturday night when the Steelers take the field in their third preseason game in Washington vs the Redskins. Mike Tomlin said on Thursday that the first teams will play longer and that it’s his intention to play them longer than either of the first two preseason games this season. Two guys that will finally see the field is running back Willie Parker, who had a knee injury and appears ready to go, and James Harrison, who will get time at the linebacker spot to see what he can do in that competition.

A couple other players shifted around on Thursday, as Deshea Townsend started with the first team at right corner ahead of Bryant McFadden, who had been there as Townsend played safety at the few pratices. “I think that he’s had a solid camp, whether we run him with the first group or the second group. He’s just continuing to grow. He’s a young guy who has some talent,” Tomlin said of McFadden. “He has made some plays for this football team. It’s not like he’s green.” Willie Colon played at first-team right tackle, and Trai Essex started with the first team at left tackle. Marvel Smith, the normal left tackle, dressed but was limited due to a back injury. It also appears that wide out Santanio Holmes, who has been impressive in the first two preseason games, will supplant Cedric Wilson for the starting WR job opposite Hines Ward.