Steelers brass impressed with recovery of Sean Spence

New Steelers defensive assistant Joey Porter had a fighting spirit as a player.

It seems as if the same quality can be said for a player he will soon be coaching.

Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today that Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert is pleased with inside linebacker Sean Spence's progress after suffering multiple career threatening injuries during the 2012 preseason. The third round pick out of Miami back in 2012 suffered a torn ACL and LCL while also dislocating his kneecap and damaging a nerve in his leg.

Bouchette reported that Colbert said that Spence "had a great day of practice" near the close of the 2013 season. Spence practiced with the squad during the last three weeks of the season after spending the year on the PUP list.

While his career is still in serious doubt, Pittsburgh expects him to participate in the team's spring and summer practices.

The 5'11, 231 pound Spence enjoyed a decorated collegiate career with the Hurricanes. He was a Butkus Award semifinalist his senior year as Spence led the 'Canes with 106 total tackles while finishing second nationally with 47 tackles for loss.