Doug Legursky emerged from the team's locker room on Tuesday afternoon, wearing his own Steelers Salute to Service hoodie and a smile a mile wide.
He was back home.
"It's like a homecoming," said Legursky. "There are a lot of new faces in the building, but there is a level of familiarity here that is nice to have."
Legursky was signed to provide depth and compete for the starting spot at the center, along with Cody Wallace, after Maurkice Pouncey suffered an ankle injury against the Green Bay Packers that required surgery.
"As soon as that happened my phone started blowing up," said Legursky. "Who knew what would happen with those types of things."
Legursky, who played with the Steelers from 2009-12, signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2013 as a free agent and played for the San Diego Chargers in 2014, finishing the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. He is back to full strength and looking forward to having a few weeks of the preseason to get in game-ready shape.
"There is nothing that can take the place of getting out and playing with the guys, physical conditioning out on the football field" said Legursky. "You can do as much running and weight room stuff as you can, but until you start working against 11 guys on defense you are not going to be in the best shape that you can.
"I am excited to get out here with a few weeks before the regular season to get back into football shape."
The one major advantage Legursky has is experience in the Steelers' offense and familiarity with many of his fellow linemen. But he still knows trying to replace Pouncey, well it's not something that really can be done.
"No one can fill the shoes of Pouncey," said Legursky. "There is no doubt about that. I have played in this town for a lot of years. I am just here to do my job and whatever they ask of me.
"I have been a starter and backup. I am always ready to step in and do what the team needs me to do. If that is a starting position, a backup, teaching young guys, I am going to do whatever they need. I am going to work on my game and be the best player I can be.
"I am just excited to be back in the black and gold."
