As Cortez Allen and Terry Hawthorne miss time, other Steelers seize opportunity

While the cat's away, the mice will play. In other words, every second lost during Pittsburgh Steelers training camp is a second gained for someone else.

Cortez Allen not in pads again on Wednesday afternoon

— Mike Prisuta (@DVEMike) July 31, 2013

As defensive backs Allen, DeMarcus Van Dyke and Terry Hawthorne continue to miss time with 'discomforts', younger players trying to win jobs are taking advantage of the extra opportunities.

On Monday, TribLive's Ralph N. Paulk spied youngsters Curtis Brown and Josh Victorian working closely with Hall-of-Fame coaching intern Rod Woodson. Without injuries preventing others from participating, these guys found extra chances to work more intimately with a teacher who was one of the best ever at the position in his playing days.

Secondary coach Carnell Lake is happy to have his former teammate back on the field working beside him again.

"Anytime you get a guy like Rod to help out in training camp is great. He reinforces what I'm telling them. I've always told my guys if you catch the ones thrown to you, we would have done real well."

As those dealing with injuries grind away at their recoveries to return to the field, the extra work should only benefit those who would normally be at the bottom of the practice rep pecking order.

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• Steelers coach Mike Tomlin requiring offensive linemen to wear knee braces during training camp
• Key to Steelers' receiving corps is Emmanuel Sanders and his ability to stay healhy, consistent
• Steelers 53-man roster: defensive locks through early portions of training camp
• Steelers resume practice Wednesday after day off
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