Sports

Steelers Battle For Positions In Preseason Game

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The Steelers will hit the field for their first preseason game and for many of the players it will be an audition of sorts.

The big names like Ben Roethlisberger and Hines Ward will only be in the game for a series or two but for the rest it will be a chance to shine.

Head Coach Mike Tomlin has said that Roethlisberger will play just one series tonight because this game is more about seeing who the starters will be and who will even make this team.

Now for the position battles. Last year's starting center Sean Mahan will start tonight but newcomer Justin Hartwig will see a lot of time and start next week.

At wide receiver, will second-round draft pick Limas Sweed take over the No. 3 receiver position or will it be Nate Washington?

At right tackle, Max Starks lost his starting job one year ago to Willie Colon. Will he take it back and does his nearly $7 million salary play into the decision?

If there's anyone who has impressed so far in camp, it's Lawrence Timmons. Last year's first-round draft pick has reported to camp healthy and poised to become a star. He's looking to unseat Larry Foote, the starter for the last four years.

Those are just a few of the many battles that we'll be seeing tonight and the next two preseason games. NFL rosters must be cut from 81 to 75 after the third game and then all the way down to 53 for the start of the regular season.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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