The Steelers head into their final week of the preseason to face the Carolina Panthers in their annual matchup.
While the team prepares for roster cuts and for the start of the regular season we’ll be busy looking for mentions of your Black & Gold so we’ve got you covered. Here’s your Steelers Morning Huddle for Tuesday, Aug. 30th.
The National Anthem
Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva was just one of many across the NFL to weigh in on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to not stand during the National Anthem prior to the start of games as a political statement over inequality for minorities.
Seems like many were eager to get Villanueva, a former Army Ranger’s, thoughts on the subject. Villanueva addressed the topic by weighing both sides and not being dismissive, as many people have been.
Steelers' Villanueva, a former Army Ranger, weighs in on 49ers QB Kaepernick's protest https://t.co/JQSZtAPdB0 pic.twitter.com/ELc2Z60JcB
— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (@PittsburghPG) August 29, 2016
I’m not sure when the National Anthem became interchangeable with the military but you definitely shouldn’t listen to Villanueva’s entire thoughts on the topic without also listening to Kaepernick’s; if the topic interests you or sparks emotion.
What’s next?
Now that the much anticipated meeting between James Harrison and NFL investigators has gone down we’re left to wonder what’s next for the linebacker and the rest of the players named in the documentary.
PFT’s Mike Florio suspects that the players will be exonerated the by the NFL, but probably not before the end of the month. This seems like a Friday afternoon news dump kind of time for me. I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the time they pick to clear their names.
So anxious
Steelers rookie cornerback Artie Burns is genuinely anxious to get out on the field for the first time, says Teresa Varley. He’s been held out of action so far in the preseason with a quad injury but he’s ready to feel the game at full-speed.
Next: Steelers Draft Watch: Jake Butts
For most of the players on the field on Thursday night in Carolina they will be trying to prove their worth to the final 53-man roster. Burns, on the other hand, will be trying to prove he can be where he’s told to be on the field and can make plays when the opportunity arises.