The Pittsburgh Steelers second week of 2013 OTA practices started on Tuesday without three veteran players in attendance, but according to Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Twitter, only safety Troy Polamalu and cornerback Ike Taylor remain absent on day two as safety Ryan Clark is now present.
The Tuesday absence of the three experienced defensive players isn\’t really a big deal as it afforded the younger players on the roster the opportunity to get much-needed reps. Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider reported Tuesday evening that Robert Golden and Da\’Mon Cromartie-Smith were the first-team safeties with Polamalu and Clark absent, and it is speculated that Curtis Brown is filling in for Taylor at cornerback in subpackages with the first team.
Polamalu is believed to be back in California continuing his training as he is trying to put four years worth of calf problems behind him for good. As far as Taylor goes, he hinted during the first week of OTA\’s that he might be hit or miss throughout the voluntary practice sessions.
The only other player who remains absent is rookie wide receiver Markus Wheaton, who isn\’t allowed to practice with the team until his finals at Oregon State are behind him. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert indicated earlier in the month that there is a chance Wheaton will be allowed to participate in the mandatory mini camp next month.
