Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey Out for Steelers vs. Bucs in NFL Preseason

Pittsburgh Steelers fans aren't going to get a first look at the team's major offseason acquisitions in game action on Saturday.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wideout DK Metcalf and defensive back Jalen Ramsey are among the veterans who won't play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Pittsburgh's second preseason game.

Ramsey, at least, will be getting plenty of work matching up against Bucs' wideout Mike Evans this week during joint practices.

"There's not a whole lot of conversations. Jalen's going to get it," Tomlin told reporters when asked who would be be getting the reps against Evans. "Some people may hate it, and I love that competitive spirit in the collective, but I think it's already been decided."

It isn't terribly surprising that the 41-year-old Rodgers isn't going to appear in either of the first two preseason games, meanwhile (and wouldn't be all that shocking if he was held out of the third either). Rodgers' preparations for the season are a given—the future Hall of Famer has done this countless times before.

And while getting on the same page as his new wideouts like Metcalf, Robert Woods and Calvin Austin III is important, much of the heavy lifting in that regard comes during training camp.

There do remain questions about how all of this will jell, however.

"Aaron has had good route runners around him when he was at his best," a defensive coach told Mike Sando of The Athletic on Monday. "I don't know who the route runner is on that team. Metcalf is like a bully, jump-ball, kill-you-in-the-red-zone guy. Truthfully, I have no idea how that works there."

The Steelers overhauled the passing game this offseason. It will be on Rodgers, Metcalf and the rest of the receiving options to figure it out.