Golson’s season over before it started for Steelers

LATROBE – The Steelers completed their final day of training camp at Saint Vincent College on the same day their second-round draft pick might have seen his rookie season come to an end.
Head coach Mike Tomlin said Senquez Golson, a cornerback out of Mississippi, had surgery on his shoulder Friday and his status will be evaluated later on.
Golson, however, indicated earlier in training camp that if surgery became an option, it would probably end his season.
“Either I’m going to be out for the year,” Golson said. “Or, I’m going to come back (if surgery is not needed).”
Golson remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list after injuring the shoulder in mini-camp. He did not participate in a any practices in training camp, and Tomlin said the team knew surgery would be required at some point, but wanted to wait until training camp was over.
“Being a young guy and being in this environment, we thought that a lot could be gleamed from that and thought that it could be a great experience for him whether or not he was participating,” Tomlin said. “That’s why we waited to get the surgery. He’s been in this setting and been in the meetings and been wired in by being an active participant. Hopefully, these couple weeks have been beneficial to him but as we exit here, we thought that it was appropriate to go ahead and get that fixed so we did.”
Golson was taken in the second round by the Steelers to improve the depth in a secondary that has not recorded more than 11 interceptions in a season since 2010. He had 10 interceptions last season for Mississippi.
When it became apparent the rookie would not be ready to return to the field anytime soon, the Steelers made a trade with Philadelphia on Aug. 1, sending the Eagles a conditional fifth-round draft pick for veteran cornerback Brandon Boykin.
Tomlin said the deal might have been made regardless of Golson’s status.
“We had communicated with those guys for some time in that regard,” Tomlin said. “Speculation is never a good thing. Hindsight is always 20-20. We had some interest in Boykin regardless.”
Boykin, who tied for second in interceptions in 2013 with six, has fit in nicely in the Steelers’ secondary despite being acquired a week into training camp.
He was strictly a nickel cornerback in the slot for the Eagles, but with veteran Cortez Allen sitting out some practices because of a sore knee, the 5-10 Boykin is getting a look on the outside.
“I’ve played slot my entire career,” said Boykin. “But I played outside every single day for the past four years in Philadelphia. I just haven’t gotten a chance to show it in games. I’m comfortable either way. I’m being (used) at both now, so we’ll see what happens.”
Odds and end zones
Tomlin said all healthy starters will play roughly a quarter in Sunday’s preseason home opener against Green Bay, though some starters will remain in the game longer. … Tomlin said linebacker Lawrence Timmons is dealing with a minor turf toe injury and will not play against the Packers. Also out are linebacker Vince Williams, running back Josh Harris and wide receivers David Nelson and C.J. Goodwin. … Williams, who had been out for a week with a hamstring injury, returned to practice Friday. … Second-string quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, activated off the PUP List earlier this week, is expected to play against the Packers.