The Pittsburgh Steelers second round of OTA practices are now underway and some early participation reports are now starting to surface.
Scott Brown of ESPN.com reports on Tuesday that veteran cornerback Ike Taylor is now in attendance after missing the first set of practices last week. Brown says that Taylor missed last week because he was still finishing up his training in Florida with renown trainer Tom Shaw.
Rookie third-round draft pick Dri Archer is also in attendance on Tuesday after having to miss last week to take part in the NFLPA Rookie Premier event that was held in Los Angeles.
As for the notable players that missed time last week because of injuries or rehab, tight end Matt Spaeth is back practicing after working on the side last week. Spaeth reportedly recently had screws that had loosened removed from the foot that he surgically repaired last season and that was the reason he couldn’t work fully last week.
Linebacker Jason Worilds is reportedly still having to work on the side on Tuesday, according to Brown. Worilds missed time last week due to an issue with his left leg.
As expected, safety Troy Polamalu still hasn’t arrived for OTA practices as he continues to train in California, according to Brown. It also appears as though quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is being given Tuesday off.
There is no word from Brown on whether or not second-year defensive end Nick Williams is practicing on Tuesday. Williams was forced to work on the side last week as his knee that he injured last year in training camp has yet to fully heal.
UPDATE: Jim Wexell of Steel City Insider is now reporting on Twitter that Williams is still rehabbing on the side. In addition, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that Roethlisberger is out Tuesday because of a family matter.
