Mike Wallace Signs Contract, Returns To Steelers

It's the story we all knew was coming.

It was just a few months in the making.

Steelers WR Mike Wallace reported to the team today, signing his 1-year restricted free agent contract, and officially will be a part of the team in 2012. Speculation has ranged from him being traded to sitting out a year to signing an extension, and in the end, Wallace skipped nearly all of training camp - and will not have practiced at all before the Steelers begin preparations for their Week 1 game against Denver Sept. 9.

Under the CBA, Wallace is not allowed to practice for three days after signing his contract, suggesting this was the date he was planning to report all along. Signing today renders him ineligible for the Steelers' preseason game against Carolina Thursday. Final roster cuts are due by 9 p.m. ET Friday, and the team begins preparations for the season-opener after that.

We'll have more coverage on Wallace's return to the team as the afternoon proceeds, so stick around.