LATROBE, Pa. – It is said that the third preseason game is the most important. Such reasoning is born of the notion that NFL coaches don’t want to risk injuries to front-line players in the final preseason game, and therefore the third one affords teams the best chance to get their first units ready for the regular season opener.

Through two games of this preseason, the Steelers have one unit that looks to be ready for Sept. 11 against the Titans while the other admittedly has a ways to go.

In the wins over the Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins, the Steelers defense has six sacks, three interceptions, nine forced fumbles and seven recoveries, and two touchdowns. The first unit has scored two touchdowns and allowed only one.

By contrast, the No. 1 offense has yet to put the ball into the end zone, and Coach Bill Cowher wants to see that change, but he also knows the Washington Redskins won’t make things easy.

"We certainly have a way to go before we’re where we want to be by opening day," said Cowher. "This will be a grind. This is a good defense. They’re very disruptive. They’re a good team. And as a matter of fact, they haven’t changed much. In fact, they got a few players back. This will be a good challenge for us on offense versus this defense this week."

These teams met on Nov. 28, 2004 at Heinz Field, and it was a defensive struggle. The Steelers finished with 207 total net yards of offense, with 100 of those coming from Jerome Bettis’ running. Even though the yards didn’t come easily, the Steelers slugged it out and controlled the ball for 34:16 in what turned into a 16-7 win.

And hanging over all of this is the fact that the first mandatory cut-down day is Tuesday, Aug. 30. That’s when teams must cut their rosters to 65 players (plus NFL Europe exemptions) by 4 p.m. So, in addition to wanting to get the first units some work, he and his staff also must find playing time to evaluate guys under impending roster cuts.

The Steelers currently have 85 players on the roster, including their six NFL Europe exemptions. If they keep all of those exempt players, they need only reduce their roster to 71 by the Aug. 30 deadline.

"This is tough, but to be honest, it’s not going to be as tough as the last cut," said Cowher, about the reduction to 53 on Sunday, Sept. 4. "But these games are important for each one of these players. We have some pretty intense battles going on right now that every practice and every game is going to have a degree of influence on the final decision."

One of the areas where the competition continues is at linebacker.

"Clark (Haggans) and James (Harrison) have played very well," said Cowher. "You look at Larry Foote and James Farrior, they have been solid. The first group has been very solid.

"You look at the second group, and Rian Wallace has gotten better each game, probably gotten better every practice. Clint (Kriewaldt) has been very solid inside. Outside, you’re looking at Alonzo (Jackson), (Dedrick) Roper, Andre (Frazier) and Arnold (Harrison). Those four guys -- it’s a battle. I thought Roper played very well on special teams. Alonzo has been solid, nothing spectacular, and Andre has flashed some.

"We’re going to be very cognizant of how many snaps they’re getting so that we can evaluate them on an equal opportunity. That’s why these final two games are important."

Another job that is still there to be won is the third-down back. Verron Haynes is the returning veteran at the spot, but second-year pro Willie Parker has been making a move on an increased role within the offense all summer. Cowher plans to use the game against the Redskins as another part of the ongoing evaluation.

"We haven’t made a concrete decision," said Cowher. "We’re getting there, but we haven’t made a decision yet. Verron and Willie and Noah (Herron) – we’ll monitor the snaps and continue to do that. I like the way it’s balanced out. We’ve gotten to see these guys express themselves. I like the information we’re gathering."

The team went through its final full practice in pads of this camp on Wednesday afternoon. Camp breaks on Thursday, which is also when the Steelers will leave for Washington, D.C., and the game against the Redskins.

"We’re concluding (camp) with an entertaining rookie show tonight," said Cowher. "It’s been a good camp. We know we’re getting closer, and we’re looking to see how some of these battles resolve themselves. The repetitions and the work we’ve got done out here has been quality work. Weather-wise, field-wise, it’s been good."

INJURY REPORT: Cowher said both Joey Porter and Duce Staley have begun running in a swimming pool as their rehabilitation from arthroscopic knee surgery continues.