Steelers News: James Harrison, Marcus Gilbert, Fitzgerald Toussaint
By Kim Myers
The Steelers are halfway through the preseason so that means we’re that much closer to the real action.
While the Steelers get back to work on the rest of the preseason we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Friday, Aug. 26th.
Smoothly
James Harrison met with NFL investigators and everyone survived. According to the Trib’s Chris Adamski, the 38-year-old linebacker met with league investigators along with NFLPA reps and counsel for a little longer than 45 minutes on Thursday.
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Harrison then left quietly and was on board the Steelers’ afternoon flight to New Orleans for Friday night’s preseason game. Neither side is commenting on the meeting so far but it’s far from a done deal, I’m sure.
Salary cap shuffle
The Steelers played another round of salary cap shuffle on Thursday when they restructured the contract of offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler explains that the team converted about $2 million of Gilbert’s 2016 base salary to a signing bonus in order to free up salary cap space.
Fowler cites that guard David DeCastro still could be in line for a contract extension and notes that players like Le’Veon Bell, Lawrence Timmons, Markus Wheaton and Jarvis Jones will all be free agents after this season.
Who’s on 3rd?
The competition for the backup running back position is heating up between Fitzgerald Toussaint and Daryl Richardson. Both look to be backing up DeAngelo Williams for the first three games of the Steelers season while Le’Veon Bell serves his suspension.
Teresa Varley has Toussaint’s comments on how he doesn’t take it for granted that he was on the roster last season and plans to go out all out to make his case.
Next: Keenan Allen returning to Pittsburgh?
"“I just want to go out there and play with everything I’ve got. I want to put everything on the line and just go out there and do what I have to do. I just need to go out there and do what I have been doing.” – Fitzgerald Toussaint"
These position battles are why preseason games are a necessary part of building the roster. They might not seem that important but then you remember that the Steelers have been without their starting running back for their last three post season games.