Kenny Pickett being lone offensive captain is 'no disrespect' to leadership of others, Mike Tomlin says

A year after the Pittsburgh Steelers had two captains designated to represent the offense, they have only one – second-year quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Mitch Trubisky was an offensive captain last season after winning the starting quarterback job in training camp. The other captain was running back Najee Harris.
Pickett will replace both players when it comes time to take the field for the coin toss, and he’ll handle the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that involve a captaincy role.
At his season-opening press conference Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin indicated the decision to have a single offensive captain is not a slight against Harris or any other starter.
“Being the lone captain on offense is obviously no disrespect to the leadership of others,” Tomlin said, “but probably more a reflection of everyone’s feel of his growth and development not only as a player but as a leader within this collective.”
The last time a Steelers offensive player didn’t retain his captaincy early in his career was 2014. Maurkice Pouncey didn’t repeat as captain after being injured in the 2013 season opener and missing the rest of the year. Pouncey, though, returned as captain from 2018-20.
Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt return as defensive captains. So does Miles Killebrew on special teams. Tomlin said Killebrew was the obvious choice after the Steelers didn’t retain such special teams veterans as Derek Watt, Marcus Allen, Robert Spillane and Arthur Maulet.
“We’re going through a transition in that phase of our team,” Tomlin said. “He’s probably the most central returning figure.”
Bullish on Bosa
The Steelers are going to design a game plan against the 49ers that factors in edge rusher Nick Bosa, who missed training camp and the preseason as a contract holdout. He remains unsigned.
“It’s prudent for us to assume he’s going to be there and prepare in that vein as opposed to being surprised,” Tomlin said.
Bosa is trying to become the highest-paid pass rusher in NFL history. T.J. Watt earned that distinction in 2021 when he missed the entire preseason yet attended workouts while awaiting a new contract.
Despite having less than a week of preparation, Watt had two sacks in the season opener at Buffalo en route to an NFL record-tying 22.5 for the season. Tomlin wouldn’t be surprised if Bosa has the same results Sunday.
“That’s what those guys do,” he said. “They show up, and they are who they are. We expect him to be there.”
Injury update
The first injury report of the season could be a light one. Tomlin indicated the Steelers could have a healthy roster Sunday.
“We did have a couple guys somewhat limited (Monday),” Tomlin said. “That was a prudent approach considering we’re still in a bonus-day phase. I feel good about player availability as we stand here today.”
The first injury report will be released Wednesday after practice. One anticipated starter who didn’t suit up for the preseason was defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi, who has been bothered by a foot/ankle injury. Ogunjobi was limited in practice last year after he joined the Steelers in free agency. He was recovering from foot surgery when he arrived last summer.
Tomlin doesn’t see a repeat scenario unfolding for Ogunjobi.
“I’m not ready to acknowledge that,” Tomlin said. “I’m really focused on what we need to do this week and the allocation of reps this week. I’m not ready to paint with a broad brush.”
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .