The Steelers' third OTA was the first in which wide receiver Antonio Brown took part, and that made it a big one.
"This is actually my first time practicing since the concussion," Brown said. "It was great to get out today. I'm thankful I'm healthy and feeling good, excited to be here."
Brown sustained a concussion in the Steelers' 18-16 playoff win on Jan. 9 in Cincinnati and missed their 23-16 postseason defeat on Jan. 17 at Denver.
"Any time you finish a year and you leave something incomplete it stays on your mind," Brown said. "I'm just happy to be back here at practice working with the guys. I came back in shape. Today was an OK day. I still have to get my feet up under me but it was great to come out and compete with the guys and get started on the right foot.
"Today was about seeing where I'm at conditioning-wise and getting in there and getting in the huddle and knowing the plays and feeling good."
Brown arrived fresh from his appearance on "Dancing with the Stars."
The Steelers participate in Day 3 of the 2016 Organized Team Activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
He commemorated the occasion by making sure he had a chance to challenge No. 1 pick Artie Burns, a cornerback from Miami.
"Yeah, I did," Brown said. "I wanted to challenge everybody today. He's from Miami, hungry guy, competitive, a lot of potential. I think he's still out here on the field getting extra work and those are the type of things you want to see from young guys when they come into the NFL."
Brown didn't get the chance to practice with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who didn't attend OTA No. 3, but that'll happen soon enough.
"He's going to be here next week," Brown said. "I'm excited about the process of getting better and us being a team."
Other subjects broached by Brown included:
The types of coverage he'll draw in the absence of suspended wide receiver Martavis Bryant: "We still have to see. We have a long way until the fall to see how defenses are going to play without Martavis being out there. I have to get my body and mind prepared being able to beat two guys, whatever the challenge may be."
Whether or not he'll return punts: "I hear the same question every year, and then the fall comes and I'm back there. You guys have to ask (head) coach (Mike) Tomlin about that. I'm here to do whatever the team needs so we can win games."
His approach to OTAs: "I'm excited to be here and look forward to getting better. I'm excited about competing, excited to be here with the team."
