The Pittsburgh Steelers wrapped up their 2023 preseason a perfect 3-0, and while they were dominant in many ways throughout the three games, it wasn’t the biggest storyline. Offensive success is important, defensive competence is absolutely vital, but leaving the exhibition season without major injury is paramount.

Mission accomplished for the Steelers.

Following the team’s 24-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Thursday night, Mike Tomlin met with media and told them they had no “real” injuries to speak of. In other words, just the “bumps and bruises associated with football”.

'No real injury things to speak of.' – Coach Mike Tomlin

Good news for the Steelers coming out of the preseason finale.

— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 25, 2023

There were three players who Tomlin said were unlikely to play vs. the Falcons, and they didn’t dress fo the game:

• DB Tre Norwood
• DL Larry Ogunjobi
• OG Nate Herbig

On top of those three players, both Cam Heyward and James Daniels were held out for what Tomlin called “day-to-day” injuries.

But when you look at the team from an over-arching perspective, you see just how healthy the Steelers have been throughout training camp and the preseason. Were there bumps along the way? Absolutely. The injury to Ogunjobi and Joey Porter Jr.’s hamstring injury were examples of those “bumps”, but also look to be moving in the right direction heading into the games which really matter.

When you think back to one year ago, and the third preseason game vs. the Detroit Lions, you saw how things can turn quickly. It was that game the team lost Damontae Kazee with a broken forearm, and T.J. Watt left with a knee injury which required a surgical “clean up” while he was on Injured Reserve (IR) dealing with his partially torn pectoral muscle.

Will this good fortune with injuries continue? Only time will tell, but there is always a risk/reward situation about games which don’t count. Some teams shy away from that risk, while others take the risk. Tomlin clearly doesn’t live in his fears, and the Steelers were given the reward of players knocking the rust off and getting game ready for Week 1.

The San Francisco 49ers in Week 1 at Acrisure Stadium will certainly be a good test of the Steelers, and the hope is the reward is the Steelers are more than prepared for the task at hand. Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they get ready for the 2023 regular season.