The Pittsburgh Steelers will wrap up their first week of OTA practices of the 2014 season on Thursday and very little has changed as far as the participation and attendance goes.
Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider reports on Twitter Thursday morning that safety Troy Polamalu, cornerback Ike Taylor and rookie running back Dri Archer all remain absent. The Archer situation was cleared up on Thursday as he had no choice but to attend the NFLPA Rookie Premier function out in Los Angeles.
Rookie linebacker Jordan Zumwalt also remains absent due graduation rules related to UCLA being on the quarter system. He is expected to miss all of the OTA practices in addition to the mandatory minicamp as a result of the rule.
Defensive end Nick Williams (knee) and tight end Matt Spaeth (Lisfranc?) are reportedly still working on the side rehabbing. Wexell seems to think that Spaeth’s injury might be a carryover of the Lisfranc problem that he had last year. Perhaps we will get more clarity on that after the Thursday practice is over.
Running back Miguel Maysonet and wide receiver Jasper Collins both are reportedly still sidelined with undisclosed injuries as well.
Wexell listed linebacker Jason Worilds as not in attendance on Thursday as well. Worilds reportedly let practice Tuesday with ice on his left leg, but the initial belief was that it was cramp related. We can only speculate that he must be working inside with the trainers. Hopefully we can an update on his condition from Mike Tomlin after practice.
Center Maurkice Pouncey is also sidelined on Thursday, but it wouldnt be surrpise to learn that he was just given the day off due to him just now returning from the knee injury that he suffered early last season.
#Steelers attendance report: Worilds, Archer, Troy, Ike, Zumwalt absent; NWilliams, Spaeth rehabbing; Pouncey, Collins, Maysonet sidelined.
— James C Wexell (@jimwexell) May 29, 2014
