6 unexpected players earning loads of reps at Steelers training camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their padless practices and fans are excited to see the gloves come off as they gear up for full contact at Steelers training camp this week. We've learned a lot about this team in the early going.

Though it's hard to gauge individual performances when no contact is permitted, we can track which players are seeing the most action and where they fall in the pecking order compared to their peers. Some players we thought we would see plenty of early in the preseason have been quiet, while others have risen to the occasion and have grabbed the attention of Pittsburgh's media.

Not all of these players will remain in the driver's seat to significant snaps by the end of the preseason, but here are six players who have earned loads of reps during the first week of Steelers training camp.

QB Justin Fields

Justin Fields has seen a lion's share of the action at Steelers camp by default. While Russell Wilson is sidelined with a calf issue, Fields has been the sole first-team quarterback. His performance has been up and down with highlight-reel moments and a few careless decisions mixed in.

Fields is taking advantage of these reps as a time to learn the playbook and develop comradery with the starting unit. Wilson is expected to return to slowly ease his way onto the practice field. Until then, Fields has been soaking up the snaps at the quarterback position.

CB Kalon Barnes

One of the biggest surprises early at Steelers training camp is Kalon Barnes. The 2022 seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers bounced around practice squads over the past two seasons. Now he's firmly running with the second-team defense.

When Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Rush leave the field, it is Barnes and Darius Rush who replace them. This is a surprise to many fans who believed that Cory Trice Jr. would be one of the primary backup boundary cornerbacks in 2024. There is time for this to change, but Barnes -- who ran a 4.23 at the 2022 NFL Combine -- has clearly caught the attention of the coaching staff.

RB La'Mical Perine

Fans were interested to see which running backs would put up the biggest fight for a roster spot behind Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Cordarrelle Patterson. With Patterson beginning training camp on the NFI list, it has been La'Mical Perine who has taken advantage.

Unlike the other backup running backs jousting for positioning, Perine has the advantage of having played in 17 games over the past three seasons. If the Steelers keep a fourth running back in 2024, he's the early frontrunner for the job.

WR Calvin Austin

We knew the Steelers had a lack of security at the wide receiver position after trading Diontae Johnson, but we didn't know which players would step up in his absence. So far, Calvin Austin III has been making the most of his opportunities.

Austin has been running primarily with the first-team offense -- oftentimes alongside wide receivers George Pickens and Van Jefferson. Austin has speed that kills, and he's been praised routinely by QB Russell Wilson wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni since the start of offseason workouts.

FB Jack Colletto

The Steelers haven't had a true fullback on their roster since Derek Watt in 2022, but at this rate, Jack Colletto will have a chance to not only make Pittsburgh's roster in 2024 but to cave out a notable role as the lead blocker.

Arthur Smith has shown plenty of looks in '21' and '22' personnel so far at Steelers training camp, and Colletto has seen the field more than expected. With no other true fullbacks to compete against, the Oregon State product has seen a ton of snaps with the first and second-team offense in the early going.

CB Beanie Bishop

Beanie Bishop has been one of the pleasant surprises of Steelers training camp. The undrafted free-agent cornerback immediately found himself working as the slot cornerback with the starting defense.

Despite his inexperience, Bishop has made some impressive plays in coverage early on. He isn't guaranteed to have a big role on Pittsburgh's defense, but the nickel CB job is up for grabs, and Bishop is in the driver's seat based on his workload during the first week of Steelers training camp.