Oct 14, 2015 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – Ben Roethlisberger returned to the practice field Wednesday for the first time since suffering a sprained MCL Sept. 27 at St. Louis.

While the Steelers’ starting quarterback did some 7-on-7 work, he still is not ready to return to game action, but he is inching closer.

No one will be happier for Roethlisberger’s return than receiver Antonio Brown. In the past two games with Vick at quarterback, Brown’s production dropped considerably.

“I didn’t think I got the ball enough,” said Brown, who led the NFL in receptions in 2014 with a team-record 129. “I’ve got to stay positive. Mike Vick is out there and he’s playing conservative to make sure we get the win. He’s not going to take too many shots. He’s going to stick to the script.”

Brown heads into the Steelers’ game against Arizona (4-1) Sunday at Heinz Field ranked fifth in the NFL in receptions and third in receiving yards with 37 catches for 523 yards.

Vick targeted Brown 15 times – Brown’s fewest in back-to-back games since the final two weeks of the 2012 season – and as a result, he has eight receptions for 87 yards in those two games. Vick also had an incompletion to Brown after taking over for Roethlisberger against the Rams, making him 8 of 16 for 87 yards on passes to the All-Pro receiver.

Roethlisberger completed 29 of 34 passes for 436 yards and two touchdowns to Brown. Against San Diego, Brown had three receptions for 45 yards, his fewest catches in a game since 2012.

Perhaps the Steelers should make changes as they did at practice Wednesday. Brown threw Vick a pass off a trick play, with the quarterback going above two defensive backs to make the catch.

“I told him, ‘That’s how you throw the ball,'” said Brown with a laugh. “He went up and made a good play. It’s all fun when you’re winning.”

But Brown feels Vick has to give him some of the same opportunities.

While Brown often draws double coverage from opponents, Roethlisberger trusts his star wide receiver to get the football, even in tight spaces. Vick hasn’t developed that trust with Brown, yet.

“Yeah, he’s got to take some shots,” Brown said. “I told him, ‘Trust me a little bit. I’ll make some plays and we’ll get a victory. It doesn’t have to be that hard.'”

Things could be tough against Arizona this week. The Cardinals should put Pro Bowl cornerback Patrick Peterson on Brown in one-on-one coverage throughout the game.

Brown often is at his best against big, physical cornerbacks such as the 6-1, 220-pound Peterson because of his unique ability to accelerate out of cuts quickly.

Whether that happens against Peterson remains to be seen.

“It depends on the corner really,” Roethlisberger said. “Sometimes, when they get their hands on him and they’re bigger, it’s not easy for A.B. to get open. (But) he’s so crafty and strong and quick, he can make those guys look silly sometimes.”

If he’s given the chance.

“I think he wants to get me the ball. He’s new out there,” Brown said. “He hasn’t been with me in the spring or training camp. He’s trying to do what he can to put the team in the best position and not mess up.”

Steelers defensive end Cam Heyward said he was fined by the NFL for having “Iron Head” written on his eye black patches in last Monday night’s win over San Diego. Heyward, who has worn the eye patches in every game this season, does so to honor his late father and former NFL star, Craig “Iron Head” Heyward, who died of a brain tumor. … Safety Will Allen (ankle), linebacker Jarvis Jones (hip) and center Doug Legursky (back) did not practice Wednesday. … In addition to Roethlisberger, cornerback Cortez Allen (knee) and linebacker Ryan Shazier (shoulder) were limited.