Steelers/NFL
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has rejoined the Steelers and as expected is participating in today’s OTA practice.
The Steelers just took the field around 10:30 a.m., and Roethlisberger opened up the first drill behind the 1st team offensive line with No. 1 running back Rashard Mendenhall lined up behind Roethlisberger.
Roethlisberger was joking around with teammates and doesn’t appear to be a distraction by any means.
The Steelers practice will run until about 12:00 p.m. We will have a full report this afternoon.
Early indications are it is unlikely that Roethlisberger will be made available to speak to the media after practice.
However, Roethlisberger is expected to speak at some point this week.
To no surprise, there is a high turnout from the local and national media.
Among the big names missing today, Hines Ward (hamstring) is not participating in drills and remains limited with a hamstring injury. Troy Polamalu is absent for the second straight week. Starting center Justin Hartwig is not practicing.
Quarterback Byron Leftwich has been excused from practice and is expected to return to workouts on Wednesday.
Updated: 11:30 a.m. – Roethlisberger throwing with first team
An hour into practice, Roethlisberger is running exclusively with the first team. Roethlisberger is throwing to 1st team wideouts Mike Wallace and Antwaan Randle El along with Arnaz Battle.
Wide receiver Antonio Brown and Keenan Lewis got into a good practice fight just minutes ago. Brown has had a very good few weeks of practices.
Brown has been running exclusively with the second team over the course of the past four practices and in most situations has been ahead of 3rd round pick Emmanuel Sanders.
