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Tuesday marked several key moments in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ progression towards their first preseason game Thursday night vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mike Tomlin held his usual Tuesday press conference where he announced several players won’t be participating in the preseason opener, but also gave some promising injury news regarding several players who have been banged up throughout the team’s time at Saint Vincent College.
Oh, and Antonio Brown returned.
I mean, it isn’t like this was a big deal or anything, right?
Antonio Brown back on campus and talks to WR coach Darryl Drake at the start of practice. Don’t expect him on the field until Saturday pic.twitter.com/cuEkwgHWHz
— Joe Rutter (@tribjoerutter) August 7, 2018
He’s back. #Steelers pic.twitter.com/7GrQ3wTKUg
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 7, 2018
Antonio Brown back on the practice field. The world can breath a sigh of relief. #Steelers #dkps pic.twitter.com/91Ff6NpBUt
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) August 7, 2018
Good to see @AB84 working. pic.twitter.com/dO9K0bmzut
— Teresa Varley (@Teresa_Varley) August 7, 2018
Couple thousand people watching practice today. I’d say more than half of them right now are watching Antonio Brown do rehab on a side field.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 7, 2018
When the game’s best receiver is sent home from camp to not only have a lower body injury further evaluated, but to rest and take it easy, his return is certainly something of note.
Brown didn’t practice with the team, as planned, but his progress of getting back on the field and doing individual work, as well as rehabilitation work, is a very positive step in the right direction.
Again, the best news for the Steelers are this point is the injury happened so early in the process. Brown doesn’t need the repetitions in the preseason, nor does he need any extra work with Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers’ best course of action will be to be 100-percent sure Brown is fully healed, to avoid a setback, so they can press on with a fully loaded receiving corps anchored by Brown himself.
Brown, among others, will not be participating in the game Thursday night, and will open the door for other players searching for an NFL home to do just that.
More Injury News
The Steelers have been extremely cautious with certain injuries to key players this training camp. Mainly T.J. Watt and his hamstring injury, as well as Vance McDonald and his foot. The team had a few others sitting out of practice Tuesday, but also received a scare when Maurkice Pouncey limped off the field.
Maurkice Pouncey just limped off the field. He’s kneeling next to trainer John Norwig now
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 7, 2018
Thankfully, it looks as if all is well with Pouncey.
Pouncey just jogged down the field after team drills ended. He seems to be OK.
— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 7, 2018
Wednesday Practice
Wednesday’s practice will NOT be open to the public as the team prepares for their trip to Philadelphia.
VIDEOS
Mason Rudolph is looking forward to taking the field for the first time as a pro. pic.twitter.com/OUvGfdQ9oj
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2018
Antonio Brown got some work at Steelers practice, and though it wasn’t pain-free, he’s getting closer to a full return to practices. pic.twitter.com/xIXEVFEf6r
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 7, 2018
See you in Philly. pic.twitter.com/JfgfF4G2Ee
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2018
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: "Mason (Rudolph) has done a really good job, but...he hasn't been hit." Tomlin wants to play Rudolph, Landry Jones and Josh Dobbs at quarterback in the preseason opener in Philly. pic.twitter.com/6tdD6AOgRm
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 7, 2018
Our guys are ready to line up against some new faces to get the preseason underway in Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/OwX1fYSNya
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2018
#LIVE: Coach Tomlin previews Thursday night’s preseason matchup vs. the Eagles. https://t.co/xfM7ygUdnp
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 7, 2018
PHOTOS
.@steelers Antonio Brown is back to practice working on the side, Ben Roethlisberger with Randy Couture and Vince Williams' helmet makes a nice play during practice. pic.twitter.com/N5drqBZ1vZ
— Charles Palla (@ChazPalla) August 7, 2018
Thursday.
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 8, 2018
Lincoln Financial Field. #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/8QKKUjykn1