Area of focus: There are a lot of things Coach Mike Tomlin focuses on in practice each day, but this week, there was something a little bit different.
Penalties.
After having two holding calls impact the team's first two drives against the Eagles last week, both drives ending in punts, Tomlin had the team focus on playing penalty free football this week.
"We are continuing to work to gain an understanding of the points of emphasis from an officiating standpoint in 2021," said Tomlin. "In order to be a tough team to beat, you can't beat yourselves. So, we're working to play penalty free and that starts not only with understanding the game, but just how the game is officiated at this level and in this year.
"The points of emphasis have been big for us. We were off to a slow start in our last performance because we had holding penalties on early drives and they're drive killers. Working to play penalty free is something that we've been focused on this week because we realized that that slows progress, and it did to us in our last outing."
Taking advantage: It's all about opportunity and if there is one player who is working to make every opportunity count, it's Justin Layne. The third-year cornerback has been making plays in practice during training camp, as well as in the Steelers first two preseason games.
Against the Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game, Layne had four tackles and forced a fumble. Against the Eagles he returned an interception 11 yards.
It's those plays that open eyes.
"He's done a nice job in terms of working to improve his skill over this process and consistency in his play and he'll have an opportunity Saturday night and next week to add to that," said Tomlin. "It's reasonable to expect him to continue to have an upward trajectory in terms of the quality of play."
Making progress: In his first two seasons, tight end Zach Gentry has seen limited playing time, with just one reception for four yards. Gentry is currently listed as the team's third tight end, behind Eric Ebron and Pat Freiermuth, but he has been making progress in camp and through the first few weeks of the preseason, bringing a different skillset to the position.
"He's had great progress," said Tomlin. "We're not ready to paint with a broad brush yet in terms of dividing the labor up or identifying roles. But he's done a nice job and he's particularly utilized his skillset that's a little bit different than others in the room. Zach is 6-8. 280 plus, and so it's reasonable to expect some of those skills to turn up in line of scrimmage play, in blocking in in the run game and it has."
Take a look at the Steelers training and preparing for the 2021 season at Heinz Field
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers guard Trai Turner (51) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Jordan Berry (4) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Benny Snell Jr. (24) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers punter Pressley Harvin III (6) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Kevin Rader (87) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington (13) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Zach Gentry (81) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Carlos Davis (73) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chukwuma Okorafor (76) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Kevin Rader (87) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Marcus Allen (27) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Antoine Brooks Jr. (25) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Justin Layne (31) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle John Leglue (77) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mathew Sexton (80) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (54) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (33) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Johnson (83) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Arthur Maulet (35) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Marcus Baugh (89) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (88) and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Lamont Wade (24) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
A general view at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Mark Gilbert (17) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Anthony Johnson (83) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins (3) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back James Pierre (42) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back James Pierre (42) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (5) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (54) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Cody White (15) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers safety Terrell Edmunds (34), Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Marcus Baugh (89) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt (44) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Zach Banner (72) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) and Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Pittsburgh Steelers train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Devin Bush (55) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Quincy Roche (48) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joe Schobert (45) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) and Pittsburgh Steelers running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (26) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Pete Guerriero (30) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Tony Brooks-James (40) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kalen Ballage (29) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Trey Edmunds (33) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97), Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Melvin Ingram III (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) train at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Eric Ebron (85) trains at Heinz Field during the 2021 Steelers Camp, Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021 in Pittsburgh, PA. (Caitlyn Epes / Pittsburgh Steelers)
