Do the Titans and Steelers play their starters, and if so, which ones and how much?
- Its believe the smart play is to sit most of the key starters and contributors for this game, but it will be interesting to see how the Titans approach it. Last season Marcus Mariota and the starters played the first four offensive drives, leaving the game with 4:03 left in the first half.
- The only projected starter who is yet to take a preseason snap for the Titans is Derrick Henry, who was held out of the first two preseason games with a calf strain. He returned to practice this week so it?s possible we see him make a brief appearance against the Steelers just to get a few live reps under his belt before Week 1.
- The other guy who could make his debut is Jonnu Smith. The third year tight end was activated off the PUP list at the beginning of the week and has been practicing ever since.
- It would be pretty surprising to see Harold Landry ? who has missed practice most of the week with either maintenance or an injury, Vrabel won?t say ? or Cameron Wake. Titans fans likely will have to wait for Week 1 to see their top pass rush duo take the field together.
- QB Ben Roethlisberger ? Sunday night against the Titans we should see Roethlisberger for about 20-30 offensive snaps and that playing time should come with the entire first-team offensive line on the field as well as the rest of the offensive starters. Ideally, Roethlisberger will have back-to-back successful offensive series to open the game and then exit. It?s not a huge deal that Roethlisberger is playing Sunday night but it?s a bigger deal than normal due to there being a few new faces at wide receiver this year in the form of veteran Donte Moncrief and quite possibility even rookie Diontae Johnson, if he?s healthy enough to play.
- QB Mason Rudolph ? Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn?t saying what the quarterback rotation will be Sunday night after Roethlisberger. Many believe; however, it will be Rudolph who follows Roethlisberger into the game. Regardless, the second-year quarterback out of Oklahoma State has represented himself well so far this preseason and can probably lock up the backup job Sunday night with a solid showing.
