Nov 4, 2015 4 min read

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Steelers safety Mike Mitchell was back at practice today after clearing concussion protocol. It marked the first time since Sunday’s 16-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals that Mitchell has spoken since he suffered the concussion in the fourth quarter against the game. And he came out guns a blazing.

Mitchell was a good starting point to talk to today since he also played for the Oakland Raiders, the Steelers’ next opponent. Mitchell didn’t disappoint, saying he was really looking forward to playing against his former team – which drafted him and let him go after four seasons – for the first time.

Then, I asked if he felt there was a fine line to walk between playing emotional football – which Mitchell does – or allowing his emotions to get the best of him.

Mitchell, who was penalized for taunting Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green on Sunday and also delivered a big hit to Marvin Jones – after which he ran to Pittsburgh’s sideline and simulated digging a hole – asked a question right back.

“What’s overly emotional? When you hurt your team? Yes, then I guess there’s a line for it,” Mitchell said. “I’m just a guy that plays passionate. If I was wearing a suit, maybe my behavior would be a little different. I’m out there to do a job that’s very physical and very violent. That is my mindset.”

Mitchell was called out following the game for his celebration of the hit on Jones, which left the receiver on the field for several moments and out of the game for several more.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he had no issue with Mitchell’s celebration since he didn’t stand over top of Jones. Mitchell also was unapologetic.

“I didn’t know he made the statement about me being ‘fake tough.’ It’s actually fortunate that I’m playing a lot smarter than I used to,” Mitchell said. “That easily could have been a face shot or a knee shot and he probably would have been out a lot longer. I thought it was a perfectly legal hit. I just got up and celebrated with my sideline. I didn’t know the guy was hurt. You can kind of feel it and hear it when you stick a guy good. I knew I had a good, clean hit. That’s a good one.”

And, then he doubled down.

Had he known running back Le’Veon Bell was going to be injured during a tackle by linebacker Vontaze Burftict, whom the Steelers claim then celebrated the injury, he would have taken a different approach.

“I watched Vonteze Burfict hurt Le’Veon Bell, jump up and screaming and run to his bench,” Mitchell said. “I wish I would have went low.”

It should make things very interesting when the Steelers visit Cincinnati Dec. 13.

Mitchell has played well this season and some fans won’t like his comments, but these are the kind of war of words the Steelers and Ravens used to have.

The Steelers and Bengals are growing into that same kind of rivalry, which is good since the Ravens now stink.

@ Defensive end Stephon Tuitt and safety Will Allen were both limited participants in practice today as they come back from knee and ankle injuries, respectively.

But sometimes, guys are more limited than others.

Tuitt, by the way, was wearing a big brace on his knee, which has forced him out of the past two games.

@ Ben Roethlisberger is 1-5 in the second game back after he returns from an injury.

But some of that is circumstance and opponent. Five of those games have come on the road. One was a playoff loss at Denver, while two came against the Bengals. Another came at Dallas (2012) and a game at Cleveland when it was about minus 70 was the final game.

His lone win came against Baltimore in his rookie second season.

@ Not to be outdone, the Raiders are 2-8 in their past 10 games that start at 1 p.m. and are played in the Eastern Time Zone.

@ The Steelers signed Doran Grant off their practice squad and released QB/WR Tyler Murphy, who should go back on the practice squad Thursday once he clears waivers.

The move was made because the team is down a corner after Cortez Allen was placed on IR a couple of weeks ago and the safeties are banged up.

If the Steelers get into a pinch at safety, Will Gay would be the most likely player to shift to the back end.