Drew Allar participates in Steelers OTAs

Drew Allar was on the field for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first organized team activity on May 18, giving the rookie quarterback his first public checkpoint of the spring after ankle surgery last November. CBS Sports, citing ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, reported that Allar went through drills Monday and was the fourth quarterback in the rotation. Sports Illustrated separately reported that Allar threw alongside Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard during the opening OTA session. Pittsburgh’s official offseason calendar lists May 18 as OTA No. 1 and shows the club’s spring program running through June 12. ### How much did Allar actually do on the first day? CBS Sports reported on May 19 that Allar participated in drills on Monday, a sign that he was available for the opening OTA workout after his ankle recovery. The report, attributed to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, said he was the fourth quarterback through drills. Sports Illustrated reported that Rodgers, Howard and Allar were all throwing during the session. (cbssports.com) The outlet framed the workout as part of Pittsburgh’s offseason program as the quarterback room began work under new circumstances this spring. ### Why was his availability being watched this closely? November surgery was the reason Allar’s OTA status drew attention. (cbssports.com) CBS Sports said the rookie was returning from a broken left ankle and surgery that ended his final Penn State season. May 13 brought another layer to the scrutiny around Allar when CBS Sports reported that Pittsburgh was reworking his mechanics under coach Mike McCarthy after selecting him in the third round. (si.com) That made his presence at the first OTA less about roster drama than about whether he was healthy enough to keep taking reps in the spring program. (cbssports.com) ### Who else was on the field with him? Aaron Rodgers was part of the same quarterback group on May 18 after signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh, according to Sports Illustrated. The outlet said Rodgers was on the practice field next to Will Howard and Allar as OTAs opened. Steelers.com also highlighted the first OTA day on the team homepage, where the club posted an OTAs blog and a photo gallery from the session. (cbssports.com) The team site did not frame Allar as limited in the official calendar items tied to the start of spring practices. ### What does the Steelers’ calendar say comes next? The Steelers’ official offseason schedule says OTAs began on Monday, May 18, and continue with sessions on May 20, May 21, May 26, May 28, May 29, June 8, June 9, June 11 and June 12. (si.com) The same team schedule lists a mandatory minicamp for June 2-4. June 2 is the next formal checkpoint on Pittsburgh’s calendar because that is when mandatory minicamp begins, according to Steelers.com. (steelers.com) Before that, the next OTA sessions are scheduled for May 20 and May 21 at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh. (steelers.com 1) (steelers.com 2)