Steelers Training Camp: Several veterans sit out first padded practice and another heat-related departure

It was hot. There is no other way around such a simple fact. You can talk heat index, humidity...doesn't matter. When the Pittsburgh Steelers head to Saint Vincent College it means the temperature is going to rise. To add to the heat, the Steelers had their first padded practice Wednesday and several veterans sat out the first practice with pads.

James Harrison, Heath Miller, Will Allen and Mike Mitchell did not suit up for the practice session today, but did drills and conditioning on the side.

As for the players who actually took the field, the team was able to get out of their first truly physical practice with nothing worse than B.J. Finney leaving with a heat-related illness and some minor cramping. As Mike Tomlin told media after the practice, "That just comes with these days. We're blessed to have these days. It's good to get out here in somewhat uncomfortable conditions and train. Hopefully we'll have a few more muggy and nasty days to work in. It helps the process."

Per Neal Coolong of DKonPittsburghSports.com, tight end Cameron Clear (heat-related illness) returned to practice, and safety Ross Ventrone was witnessed watching practice with a boot on his right foot after injuring his ankle on Monday.

The Steelers will return to practice Thursday at 2:55 p.m. EST, and as always practice is open to the public. The Steelers won't have another day off until Tuesday, August 4th.