Steelers' David Johnson back to tight end? Mike Tomlin says move to fulback not certain

LATROBE, Pa. -- The return of the full-time fullback to the Steelers offense was met with great fanfare this past offseason.

Not so fast for the traditional fullback in Pittsburgh?

Tight end David Johnson was told he was going to play fullback in the spring after Todd Haley was hired as Pittsburgh's new offensive coordinator. He has lined up there for practices at OTAs, minicamp and the first two weeks of training camp.

Johnson has spoken highly of the new job description and duties, too. Just a few days ago, he was talking about the oddity of a fullback wearing No. 85.

All of a sudden, coach Mike Tomlin threw some cold water on that notion. During his Tuesday late-morning press conference, unsolicited, Tomlin offered that Johnson would go back to taking significant reps at tight end after the Steelers return home from their preseason opener Thursday at Philadelphia.

Tomlin did not say Johnson is moving back to tight end; rather, the Steelers are preparing Johnson to play both positions.

"I'm not ready to say Johnson is exclusively a fullback," Tomlin said. "This guy's had several years with us exclusively as a tight end. We made a commitment to work him in the spring and the early portions of training camp as a fullback to give him that exposure, but we also found opportunities to play him at tight end, such as in tight end-vs.-outside linebacker (drills).

"His position flexibility is an asset. He has more of an extended past at tight end, so we'll focus in the interim ... at fullback, but we're not opposed to him playing tight end, and we know he's capable of doing that and he will."

Other nuggets of information expounded on by Tomlin in his final media availability before the preseason games start:

-- The starters will play "one or two" series, although exceptions can be made for pulling a starter early or allowing some to play longer.

-- Fourth-string QB Jerrod Johnson will get "an extended look" during the second half Thursday.

-- Not counting the five players on the PUP list, G Willie Colon and DE Cameron Heyward were the only players Tomlin said would not play in the game, although more players could be ruled out before Thursday.

-- Rookie Chris Rainey will get the first shot at returning kicks and punts, with David Gilreath and Marquis Maze also in that role some on Thursday.

-- Tomlin on replacement officials working the game: "I assume those guys will do a great job."

-- With the Mike Wallace holdout enduring, no player has grabbed the fourth receiver job. Tomlin sounds underwhelmed by the candidates thus far: "They've been inconsistent, largely. We've seen some things that get us excited; we've also seen some things that are disturbing."

Follow Steelers reporter Chris Adamski on Twitter @CBSSportsNFLPIT and @BuzzsawPGH.