LATROBE, Pa. - Key takeaways from today's practice at Saint Vincent College:
SEVEN SHOTS: QB Ben Roethlisberger went 3-for-3 throwing for conversions/touchdowns in the practice-opening, 11-on-11, 2-yard drill. Roethlisberger connected with RB Le'Veon Bell, TE Heath Miller and WR Antonio Brown …Brown also tried a pass but was unable to hook up with WR Darrius Heyward-Bey … QB Landry Jones went 1-for-2. His successful attempt was to WR Sammie Coates.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison returns to practice at Saint Vincent College.
WELCOME BACK: A host of players who didn't play in the preseason opener against Minnesota, players who hadn't been practicing or hadn't been practicing much of late were back in pads and participating, LB James Harrison, WR Martavis Bryant, WR Markus Wheaton (limited), RB Josh Harris, CB Cortez Allen, S Shamarko Thomas, RB DeAngelo Williams, G Ramon Foster and LB Jarvis Jones among them.
Tomlin cited a "general enthusiasm" that was noticeable on the practice fields at St. Vincent College, one that might not have been coincidental.
"I know when you get 92 in a uniform that changes the climate a little bit," Tomlin said. "I think it did today."
TEAM RUN: The highlight of the running game drill was a catch by Bryant off a play-action pass from Jones. On a ball that looked initially as if it would be intercepted, Bryant got between S Will Allen and Cortez Allen and came down with a competitive catch for a touchdown … What started out as non-tackling drill graduated into tackle football. Harris avoided all tackling attempts on a 45-yard burst for a touchdown … S Ian Wild made a nice open-field tackle on Harris and then produced a physical takedown of RB Jawon Chisholm a couple of snaps later. "Way to hunt, 3-8," was Tomlin's response.
HOUSEKEEPING RB Cameron Stingily will also have knee surgery today, Tomlin said … Among those not practicing or not participating fully due to either an injury or a coach's decision were S Robert Golden, S Mike Mitchell (in pads for the first time), S Ross Ventrone, DT Daniel McCullers, TE Matt Spaeth and LB Vince Williams … LB Jordan Zumwalt (groin) didn't finish practice.
