Steelers, Jaguars Face Preseason Injury Challenges, Starters Mixed

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter their 2025 preseason opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a cautious approach, focusing on avoiding injuries amid significant absences of key players like Calvin Austin III and Alex Highsmith. While the Jaguars will play their starters, including rookie sensation Travis Hunter, the Steelers will hold out most of their stars such as Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, and T.J. Watt, giving opportunities to younger players and backups like Mason Rudolph and rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. The matchup is particularly notable for the Steelers' offensive line, with young tackles Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu facing a tough Jaguars defensive front. Pittsburgh’s defense aims to contain Hunter, who will uniquely play both offense and defense in his debut, testing the Steelers’ depth and resilience. The Steelers hope to build momentum and evaluate emerging talent while managing health, as the preseason game serves more as a developmental platform than a competitive contest. The teams have a close historical rivalry, with the Jaguars leading their all-time series, and both sides looking to establish early season form in this preseason clash.