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Watt ready for more of the same

LATROBE, Pa. _ T.J. Watt's preseason debut against the New York Football Giants included two sacks, a team-high 63 defensive snaps and 10 more on special teams.

For Watt, his first night in a Steelers uniform on Aug. 11 was as enjoyable as it was productive.

"I just like being out there," he said. "I just like being out there and being aggressive and being physical and doing all the things that come with being a Pittsburgh Steeler and being on a really aggressive defense, and at the same time putting my conditioning on display.

"I've been taking a lot of reps but at the same time I'm never going to turn down those reps."

Although the location changed for the Steelers final public practice of training camp this afternoon, the objectives of the Steelers' No. 1 pick did not heading into Sunday's matchup at Heinz Field against Atlanta.

Watt has acknowledged the responsibility to produce splash plays, particularly as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

But he considers consistency even more of a priority.

"It's huge, it's everything," Watt said. "Some people can come out here and do one thing awesome one day and do completely terrible the next day. You can't take anything for granted.

"You have to come out here each and every day and act like the rookie that I am and try to prove people wrong every single week, and that's going to continue throughout the season."

Watt's fast acclimation to the Steelers has been fueled, in part, by an understanding of how to approach the game at the NFL level.

That hasn't changed, either.

Take a look at some of the best fan photos from the 2017 Steelers training camp.

"I think it's just playing football and not giving up on a play and just having a non-stop motor," he said. "You never know if anyone's going to miss a tackle or if a guy is going to make a guy miss.

"You just have to always be going, never knowing what's actually going to happen."

MEDICAL FILE: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, wide receiver Demarcus Ayers, wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, cornerback Cam Sutton, safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Senquez Golson, linebacker Ryan Shazier, guard Ramon Foster, outside linebacker William Gay and outside linebacker Keion Adams were among those who missed all of practice or were limited due to injury or a coach's decision.

Guard David DeCastro and center/guard B.J. Finney were among those who returned to practice.

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QUICK-HITTERS:** Wet conditions at Saint Vincent College necessitated the shifting of practice to Greater Latrobe Senior High School … Pouncey and Shazier took some 11-on-11 reps, Shazier more than Pouncey … "Seven Shots" wasn't contested and there wasn't any live tackling … Cornerback Coty Sensabaugh intercepted quarterback Joshua Dobbs on a pass intended for wide receiver Martavis Bryant … Dobbs hit Bryant for a 75-yard touchdown at cornerback Stephon Tuitt's expense … The "light" game-planning for the Atlanta game that head coach Mike Tomlin had referenced this week included the offense and defense practicing against show teams working off cards … Special Teams drills included working on stripping the ball from returners (first man wrap, second man strip).

HE SAID IT: "We'll be a team that's still very much in development into the regular season. So will all the other 31 teams. The big thing is to win along the way. I'm not looking for a finished product as we check out of here, I'm not that naive. We're going to continue to grow, hopefully into January and February." _ Tomlin

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