Miller progressing after knee injury
PITTSBURGH – He’s not on the field working with his teammates, but tight end Heath Miller looks to be well on the road to recovery, and that is perhaps the best news for the Steelers in their opening week of OTAs.
A knee injury suffered Dec. 23 ended a Pro Bowl season for Miller. Just five months later, the Steelers’ star tight end is looking like a player intent on being on the field when Pittsburgh opens its regular season in September against the Tennessee Titans.
As his teammates participated in on-field practices the past two days, Miller has been working with trainer John Norwig, running and trying to regain the strength lost following surgery to repair a torn ACL and PCL suffered in the loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
“I’m pleased with everything that I’ve been able to do, that John has had me do so far,” Miller said Wednesday. “I’ve been pleased, he’s been pleased with the way my knee has reacted. So far, so good.”
The Steelers felt comfortable enough with Miller’s progress that they did not select a tight end in last month’s draft, though they did re-sign veteran free agent tight ends David Johnson and Matt Spaeth.
But those signings were made more to replace backup tight end Leonard Pope, who was not brought back as a free agent – though they could help bridge the gap if Miller isn’t ready to play in the opener Sept. 8.
“It’s too far away to speculate,” Miller said of being ready for the opener. “One thing I’ve learned with this thing: it’s a long process. It’s still going to be a long process, so you don’t know how your body is going to react moving forward with the new stuff.”
Getting Miller back on the field as soon as possible will be critical for the Steelers.
Despite missing the final game of last season because of the knee injury, Miller was named team MVP after catching 71 passes for 816 yards and eight touchdowns.
The touchdown and yardage totals were career highs for the 30-year-old, nine-year veteran, who has caught more passes than any tight end in team history.
With the loss of speedy wide receiver Mike Wallace to Miami in free agency, Miller’s presence in the lineup is more vital than ever.
“We’ll continue to take it day-by-day,” said head coach Mike Tomlin. “When that day comes, it’ll be a good day.”
For now, Miller will continue with the regiment that Norwig puts him through, which includes running and lifting weights.
“The big thing now is getting the strength back and getting confidence back when I’m on the grass,” Miller said. “That’s the main thing. With all of the atrophy that comes from surgery, you lose strength immediately. I want to be back as strong as my other leg.”
First-round draft pick Jarvis Jones has been slowed by a hamstring strain suffered during the Steelers’ rookie camp earlier this month. … Rookie cornerback Terry Hawthorne, a fifth-round draft pick, was on crutches Wednesday. … The Steelers will hold another workout today before breaking for the holiday weekend.