Pittsburgh Steelers plan to take Heath Miller off PUP list

[polamalubeast]

Tight end Heath Miller, not Mike Wallace or Antonio Brown, was Pittsburgh's most valuable pass catcher last season. That's why Miller's recovery from ACL surgery looms so large over the Steelers 2013 campaign.

The team's plan for Miller is starting to clear up. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the team wants to bring Miller off the active/PUP list before the start of the regular season, before letting him work his way slowly back into form.

The Steelers had a similar plan for running back Rashard Mendenhall last year. He wound up making his regular season debut in Week 4. The Steelers have a Week 5 bye this year after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, so October 13 against the New York Jets could be a potential return date for Miller. If the Steelers left Miller on the PUP list to start the regular season, he couldn't return until the seventh game of the season.

The Steelers are short at tight end with Miller's top backup Matt Spaeth out at least two months with a foot sprain. The team could have to make some hard decisions at the position, but they aren't bringing in outside help yet.

Miller's value to the team has often been understated. His absence could show much he truly means to Ben Roethlisberger.



http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...gn=Twitter_atl

[Dwinsgames]

suspected as much when it was reported he was running sprints while the team practiced ...

good sign and potentially smart move by the organization

[Spike]

The Steelers have a Week 5 bye this year after facing the Jacksonville Jaguars in London

maybe somebody should tell them the Steelers play Minnesota in London - nah - the editors on NFL.com wouldn't have a job

[steelerdude15]

I think this is a smart move by the Steelers. He may not be ready by week one, but could play after that. Now, if he stayed on the PUP list, I don't think he could play till week seven. I'd rather have him for ten games then eight.

[HollywoodSteel]

maybe somebody should tell them the Steelers play Minnesota in London - nah - the editors on NFL.com wouldn't have a job

Goodell told them to make that mistake. He's trying to subliminally plant the idea of all London games being against the Jaguars. By the time they actually become the London Jaguars we'll have already accepted the idea.