The starters gave up a 73-yard touchdown run to the New York Giants in the preseason opener, allowed the Buffalo Bills to roll up over 200 yards in one half last week and did little to slow down Chip Kelly's hyperkinetic offense.
It's unlikely the bold-faced names will get much of an opportunity to make amends when the Steelers (1-2) face Carolina in the exhibition finale next Thursday,
Cheap Jerseys. The finale is a game where the first string typically stands on the sidelines in baseball caps while the players fighting for the final roster spots take the field.
The running backs face a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possession while Bell has also been charged with driving under the influence.
The defense will get a shot of leadership when it returns to practice on Saturday. The Steelers signed veteran defensive end Brett Keisel earlier this week. The 35-year-old traveled to Philadelphia with the team but did not play.
Pushed around by the starters and knocked over by the subs, the Steelers were no match for the Philadelphia Eagles in a 31-21 exhibition loss on Thursday night.
Coach Mike Tomlin stressed his team had to "own" its lackluster play while refusing to look for excuses. The poor showing came barely 24 hours after running backs Le'Veon Bell and LeGarrette Blount were cited on drug charges in a northern Pittsburgh suburb while driving on their way to meet the team plane.
"I'm glad to have him back in the fold," Tomlin said. "We'll hammer that out as we get him up to speed in terms of game readiness. He's in great shape. We'll see what the football looks like."
The Eagles raced to a 24-0 lead, piled up 482 yards and were rarely challenged by a team that appeared to be a toxic mix of disinterested and disorganized.
Pittsburgh's issues were more widespread than the running game. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger
