Mike Tomlin leaves the door open for all but four Steelers to play in Preseason Week 3

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers will go head-to-head in Week 3 of the NFL Preseason, and while the Steelers haven’t played any of their starters outside of the offensive line to this point, that might change on Thursday night.

Mike Tomlin met with the media after practice Tuesday and said there were four players who were not going to play this week, and anyone not listed who is healthy has the possibility to play.

Those who won’t be participating are:

• T.J. Watt
• Cam Heyward
• Aaron Rodgers
• DK Metcalf

This from Teresa Varley of Steelers.com:

Coach Mike Tomlin said all healthy players, with the exception of Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, T.J. Watt and Cam Heyward, could play on Thursday night vs. Carolina.

— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 19, 2025

An ongoing theme throughout the press conference was Tomlin referring to responding to what the Panthers will be doing with their starting group. In other words, if they choose to not play any of their starters, it could change what the Steelers’ plans are for the preseason finale. Earlier this week it was reported the Panthers were planning on sitting their starters, so take that for what it’s worth.

On top of those who are going to be held out of the game Thursday night, there was a long list of players who are returning, in some capacity, to practice and might be available vs. the Panthers.

• Cam Heyward didn’t just work into individual drills, but Tomlin said he also got into team drills as well. When asked if he knew if that meant anything with his contract situation, Tomlin said you would have to ask Heyward that question.
• Calvin Austin III and Cory Trice Jr. have both been working their way back into a practice setting.
• Alex Highsmith and Donte Kent have also been working their way back to health and could be available.
• No specific update from Will Howard and if he might be able to return to the team for repetitions in Preseason Week 3.

Tomlin did speak about wanting to see certain units, mainly the secondary, getting on the field to get some work together in a game-like settings, but continued to reiterate how things can change quickly as to the team’s overall preparation for their next preseason game. The Steelers head coach also talked about wanting to continue to see players/units who have been on the field playing this preseason to continue their upward trajectory. Position groups like the offensive line, punters, and even the linebackers would fall into this category.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the final preseason game of 2025, and check out Dave Schofield’s Mike Tomlin Press Conference Recap podcast in the players below.