The bye week is hitting at a perfect time for the Steelers, an opportunity to get some injured players a little bit of rest at the midway point of the season.
It's also an opportunity for the reverse to happen, and get a player who was battling an injury some work.
Cameron Sutton returned to practice on Tuesday, the first time since he was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 4 with a hamstring injury.
Sutton can practice for a 21-day window before the team has to decide whether to activate him from injured reserve, or keep him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season. He does not count against the 53-man roster at this point, and the team does not have a roster exemption for him.
"It was definitely a good feeling just being back out there, moving around with the guys," said Sutton. "It felt really good. I am taking care of my body. I did a lot with the athletic training staff and in the weight room. I just have to keep that going.
"The expectation is still the same. My approach every day is still the same. Even though I was out, I am still coming to everything, still doing everything. Now it's just going back out there and doing what I love to do."
While he wasn't able to practice, Sutton was constantly around the team. The rookie cornerback, who was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft, was at practice daily, in meetings, and always staying involved so he wouldn't fall behind.
"It was hard, but mentally and physically I feel like I am well rounded in those two areas where it keeps me locked in," said Sutton. "I am not a guy that veers off when things aren't going well, or I am not being out there. I stayed in every meeting. I traveled with the team and went to every game. I know what to do. Now it's getting back to the fundamentals and the basics and doing what I love to do.
"It definitely helped always being around. You are not out there doing the physical part, but mentally you have to work it every second of the day. That is the crucial part. The physical part is always going to be the same. Going out there, running routes, running around, and tackling. The mental is a different aspect of the game. That is where the battle is won most of the time. When you know what to do out there on the field, you are able to put other guys in good situations, put yourself in good situations, and it helps everyone on the defense make plays."
It's the bye week, and it's Halloween, so why not have a little fun in the locker room and on the field today.
