Pittsburgh Steelers: Breaking down the best upcoming training camp battles

Training camp is still a couple months away for the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it’s never too early to jump in and look at what could be a couple of heavily-contested battles as camp nears.

There will be several positions up for grabs when the team reports to Latrobe.

Here’s a look at what to expect:

September 9 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds (93) reacts after his sack of Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (not pictured) during the first quarter at Sports Authority Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Outside Linebacker: Jarvis Jones vs. Jason Worilds

The Steelers need some impact on the defensive side of the ball and they didn’t draft Jones in the first round to watch him sit on the sidelines.

With that being said, I wouldn’t expect Worilds to go down without a fight.

Nothing ever seems to go in the favor of Worilds, mostly due to the fact that he can’t stay healthy.

Last season he had the chance to start for James Harrison at the beginning of the year, but a wrist injury kept him on the sidelines. He eventually started three games and recorded 18 tackles and five sacks.

The pressure is really on Worilds here. If he can’t beat out Jones he’s likely gone at the end of the season. The same can be said for the fact that if he wins the job and doesn’t make a big impact.

Jones comes in with all the hype as the type of player the Steelers desperately need right now: a playmaker that can get to the quarterback at will.

But with that being said, Dick LeBeau’s system is a complicated one and Mike Tomlin doesn’t have the reputation for starting rookies right off the bat.

Prediction: Worilds opens the season as the starter but doesn’t finish it that way.