Steelers aim to bounce back after sloppy preseason performance

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed disappointment following the team's performance in their first preseason game against the Houston Texans. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “There’s some things that we’ve got to do better, some things we’ve got to tighten up.” Tomlin emphasized that while early preseason games can present challenges, the team’s hard work should yield better results. In a setback for the Steelers, first-round draft pick Troy Fautanu will miss practice and the upcoming home game against the Buffalo Bills due to a knee sprain. The 20th overall pick was seen with a brace on his left knee after the game. The Steelers faced difficulties during the match, with Houston capitalizing on penalties and turnovers, leading to two early touchdowns. Tomlin noted the surprising closeness of the game despite these setbacks. Quarterback Justin Fields struggled during the game, completing 5 of 6 passes for 67 yards but fumbling on the opening series, which ended in a punt. Fields reflected on the challenges of maintaining offensive momentum, particularly after a fumbled snap and a sack that disrupted a promising drive. He acknowledged the need for better execution as players adjusted to being back on the field. The Steelers experienced additional issues with special teams, including a muffed punt by Quez Watkins that allowed Houston to regain possession. Despite these challenges, Tomlin was satisfied with the team's practice session on Sunday, indicating a focus on improvement moving forward.