Wednesday is back to work for Steelers

The Steelers returned to the practice field today after announcing earlier in the afternoon that they would be retiring Joe Greene's No. 75 Nov. 2 when they host the Ravens.

The team gave Greene his choice of games when the ceremony could take place. To the surprise of few, he picked the game against Baltimore.

@ Le'Veon Bell didn't practice again today, but did do some walk-through stuff. It looks more precautionary right now than anything.

The news wasn't as good for rookie tight end Rob Blanchflower. He was in a walking boot after suffering the dreaded high-ankle sprain. Head coach Mike Tomlin said he's likely out a week.

@ I wasn't expecting much out of running back Josh Harris, who was signed Tuesday when David Snow was released injured.

But the former Wake Forest running back showed some good quickness and quickly established himself as a guy to keep an eye on moving forward.

@ Daniel McCullers had himself a nice practice today, blowing some inside runs up.

He looks like he's moving in slow motion compared to everyone else, but when you're 6-7, 352 pounds, you can do that.

Because he does everything a little more slowly than, well, anyone else here, it can sometimes look like he's not putting forth effort. But I don't think that's the case.

During individual blocking/pass rush drills, he flattened Mike Adams on a stunt. It was impressive to see.

McCullers has been running all week as the second team nose tackle.

@ The Steelers held Troy Polamalu out of the first live tackling drill session. Interestingly enough, though, it wasn't Shamarko Thomas who moved into the starting lineup.

Instead, Robert Golden came in at free safety and Will Allen shifted to the strong side.

Golden had a nice shoestring tackle of LeGarrette Blount that saved a touchdown on the first play.

I don't see that as a knock against Thomas, however. Later in the practice, he was back there paired with Polamalu.

@ We got a good glimpse of Ryan Shazier's speed when he jumped a hot route intended for Matt Spaeth over the middle and nearly intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass.

@ Polamalu did the same thing later, jumping a hot route intended for Danny Coale and picking off a Landry Jones pass.

@ It seemed like there was a big emphasis on stripping the football today and William Gay did just that against Antonio Brown on a crossing route, getting the ball loose from behind and then scooping it up and going the other way with it.

Gay attempted the same move later in practice, but Brown hung on that time around.

@ Spaeth had his way with Jarvis Jones in one-on-one run blocking drills. The two were paired five times and Spaeth won four of the matchups.

David Paulsen didn't have the same results. He struggled mightily in this test of power against power.