8-22-2025 3:47pm

Local Sports: What We Learned from Steelers-Panthers, Pats-Giants

Ypsilanti PressLLC Editor

Grant Gordon's takeaways:

First look at veteran CB additions. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay -- with a combined 13 Pro Bowls -- saw their initial action in Steelers uniforms, not to mention their first preseason run in a long time. Ramsey, playing in the preseason for the first time since he was with the Jaguars in 2019, was all around the ball. In seven snaps, he tallied three tackles, rushed the passer twice, had a run stuff and allowed a 3-yard reception to Hunter Renfrow the only time he was targeted. Ramsey’s best and worst play was likely stopping Trevor Etienne for a 3-yard loss that earned him an unsportsmanlike penalty. As for Slay, who took the preseason field for the first time since 2022 with the Eagles, he had one tackle and wasn’t targeted. There are plenty of new faces on Pittsburgh this year and two of the team's most pivotal adds offered a first glimpse in Thursday’s preseason finale. It wasn’t enough of a sample size to truly gauge what lies ahead, but seeing both looking good in their limited time should whet the appetite for the regular season.
Renfrow makes final argument in comeback attempt. As the spring became summer, Hunter Renfrow was a feel-good story who garnered plenty of positive early reports. Aiming to return to a 53-man roster after he missed the 2024 season dealing with an autoimmune disease, Renfrow’s final audition for a spot with the Panthers saw him play 26 snaps and haul in two catches for 5 yards on three targets and 13 routes run. It wasn’t the jump-off-the-page output you’d like to see, but Renfrow played with third-string quarterback Jack Plummer and a string of Carolina reserves likely battling for jobs just as he is. His hands are still there, but it’s clear he’s not the 2021 Pro Bowler who produced a 1,000-yard season for the Raiders, anymore. His mysterious decline began in 2022 and continued in 2023 as Raiders coaching regimes came and went like a big fella at a Las Vegas buffet. Of note, veteran wide receiver David Moore logged 29 offensive snaps with no receptions and one target, which was intercepted. It could come down to Renfrow and Moore for a spot on cutdown day.