Jul 27, 2017 5 min read

LATROBE – The Steelers reported to training camp on Thursday and it was far from a non-noteworthy day for a number of reasons.

As expected, running back Le’Veon Bell did not show up starting a holdout. Also as expected, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva signed a four-year extension with the team moments before participating in the team’s pre-camp conditioning test.

What wasn’t necessarily expected, however, was news that Pittsburgh had been informed that wide receiver Martavis Bryant is unable to practice with the Steelers at this point while the final details of his conditional reinstatement for violation of the league’s substance abuse policy are sorted out.

“Upon his conditional reinstatement in April, Martavis Bryant was made aware it was only the beginning of a process toward a return to being a full contributing member of the Pittsburgh Steelers,” General Manager Kevin Colbert said in a statement released by the team. “We have been informed by the NFL that Martavis is still in the process of being fully reinstated.

“Until that time, Martavis will be permitted to take part in off-the-field team activities at training camp, but he will not be permitted to practice or play in any games.”

Bryant was suspended all of last season by the league for multiple violations of the substance abuse policy but was permitted to rejoin the Steelers following the NFL draft and take part in offseason workouts.

“We knew this was a possibility,” said head coach Mike Tomlin.

Sources say he is expected to receive final clearance from the NFL to take part in training camp activities and preseason games pending an analysis of his rehab process.

His teammates continue to take a wait-and-see approach to the progress of the third-year receiver, though they know they can certainly use a player who has 15 touchdown catches in 21 career games.

“Martavis is a kid who is growing,” said guard Ramon Foster. “Nobody is perfect. His was just one of those things broadcast for the world to see. I think he’s learned from it. We’ll see how he’s grown because everybody knows how important he is.”

The same could be said of both Bell and Villanueva.

Bell turned down a contract extension with the team that would have paid him a reported $60 million over five seasons after the Steelers placed the franchise tag on him. Instead, he will play this season for $12.12 million.

But, he has yet to sign the franchise offer sheet and thus remains not under contract at this point.

“Obviously, I would like him to be here,” said Tomlin. “It’s an unfortunate circumstance. One that we’ll deal with; one that he’ll deal with. I’ve had good, clean communication with him.

“Rest assured, he’ll be ready to play football. When he gets here? I do not know. I’ll remain focused on the guys who are here. When he gets here, he gets here.”

Villanueva’s deal, which is worth $24 million over four years, was a process in the works for a long time. The Steelers had made the 28-year-old lineman an exclusive rights offer that would have paid him $615,000 this season, well below the average salary for a starting left tackle.

But the former Army ranger, who did three tours of duty in Afghanistan, also didn’t have a lot of leverage other than to hold out. He chose instead to attend all of the offseason workouts without a contract and show up Thursday in the belief something would get done.

“Al made huge improvements last year and he’s still got room to grow,” said All-Pro guard David DeCastro. “He’s improved so much.

“How far he’s come is extraordinary. And he just keeps getting better and better.”

Villanueva would have been under team control through 2018, though the Steelers still might have gotten a bargain. His average of $6 million per season is still far under the market value for a starting left tackle.

Villanueva’s average salary ranks 21st among left tackles in the league.

Odds and end zones

The Steelers placed wide receivers Sammie Coates and Canaan Severin on the PUP List to start training camp. Coates had a surgical procedure – his second of the offseason – done on his knee and said he expects to be ready to go in a couple of weeks. Severin, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury, could not complete the team’s conditioning run because of an undisclosed injury. … Safety Daimion Stafford, signed in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, was placed on the Reserve/Did not Report List. It is unknown why Stafford did not report. … Dan Rooney Jr., a Washington & Jefferson College graduate, has joined the Steelers 19-person ownership group that is headed by his brother, Art Rooney II. Rooney, son of Dan Rooney Sr., who died in the spring, also serves as Player Personnel Coordinator for the team.