It was a rough-and-tumble Wednesday practice, mostly defined by an apparent brawl during a no-contact and non-padded session. Rookie offensive tackle Wesley Johnson and defensive end Cameron Heyward got into a fight that reportedly required several players to intervene, mainly to remove Heyward.
As usual, when it's confirmed no one was injured, fans will praise both sides for showing some intensity, even if it isn't full-contact.
News recap
Shazier the Speedy - The Steelers didn't draft a cornerback in the first round, but that doesn't mean they didn't draft someone who can cover the lightning quick Antonio Brown.
Exploiting Moats' versatility - Arthur Moats is already being utilized, writes Dale Grdnic. With Jason Worilds nursing a calf injury, Moats is running with the 1s.
Reversing the returning trend - Jeff Hartman explains how the Steelers will break out of a kick return funk.
Miller in History - Where does Steelers tight end Heath Miller sit in terms of all-time great Steelers? Jack Finn runs it down.
LeBeau undergoes reinvention each year - The key to sustained success for the creation artist is constant change. There are things that work, but over time, they aren't necessarily what's best every time. That's LeBeau's challenge in 2014.
Jordan Zumwalt is behind the 8-ball - A lame rule prevents players from joining their teams until their college classes let out for the summer. Jordan Zumwalt, the team's sixth-round pick in 2014, will have some catching up to do.
Injury report
Jason Worilds did not practice again, whether he would have if it was a regular season week is undetermined, but it's still something to watch before the Steelers' mandatory minicamp next week.
Position battles
The real battle was Heyward vs. Johnson. Heyward, the incumbent and budding star of the defense, vs. Johnson, the rookie in what looks to be a pretty competitive fight for a roster spot. Whomever started it or what caused it is unknown, except to say tempers flare, and Heyward getting in a brawl during practice isn't exactly Man Bites Dog. He's been involved in altercations the last two training camps.
Wide receiver Justin Brown ran with the first team for a bit Wednesday, not suggesting he's leading the top position battle of 2014. It's just a means of getting him out with the first team to see what he can do.
OTAs Schedule
The team will hold its final practice of the OTAs schedule today, and prepare for the team's minicamp next week. Training camp is scheduled to begin July 25.
Voluntary practices: May 27-29, June 3-5 and June 9-12. Mandatory minicamp: June 17-19