STEELERS 101

Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Steelers reported to training camp in Latrobe. Today they took the field for the first time to start preparing for their 2012 campaign. While there was some uplifting news, as coach Kirby Wilson returned to the fold after suffering major burns during a fire in January, actually jogging a lap at practice. However, even with that important news, it was the players not performing at training camp that was the talk amongst fans.

By now, fans across Steeler Nation (and the NFL) have heard that wide receiver Mike Wallace did not report to Latrobe and that the Steelers have broken off contract negotiations until he signs his $2.7 million RFA tender and reports to camp. By doing this, the team put the ball in his court and created a situation that must be monitored moving forward.

Six other players were also not able to practice after being placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to open camp. Some of the players came as no surprise, as their injury situations have been well documented all offseason. Those players were tackle Max Starks (ACL), nose tackle Casey Hampton (ACL) and running back Rashard Mendenhall (ACL).

Those three stalwarts were joined by linebacker James Harrison (knee), linebacker Jason Worilds (wrist) and safety Damon Cromartie-Smith (shoulder). At this point, there is no need for fans to be truly alarmed by the players on this list and their recovery from injury, as this is a way that the team can ease these players into the fold. Nevertheless, it is a situation, especially with Harrison and Worilds, that they should keep an eye on, as the Steelers lack experienced depth at outside linebacker.

In other news, tight end Heath Miller (ankle) and rookie nose tackle Alameda Ta’amu (foot) left today’s workout with what is being termed minor injuries.

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Tags: Alameda Ta'amu, Casey Hampton, Damon Cromartie-Smith, Football, James Harrison, Jason Worilds, Max Starks, Mike Wallace, NFL, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Steelers, PUP, Rashard Mendenhall

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