Steelers Notebook: G Willie Colon says he's game-time decision

Steelers G Willie Colon says he’s a game-time decision after being out the past two weeks. (US Presswire)

For the first time in 14 days, G Willie Colon was a full participant at Steelers practice.

He joked that it was because he was scared he was "going to be Wally Pipp-ed."

Colon did not play in the past two games because of a knee injury that showed up late in the practice week two weeks ago. He also did not practice Wednesday but went through a full workout without holding back Thursday.

"I feel real good," Colon said afterward. "I was able to pull and do all the things I need to do. We will see how it feels (Friday), and hopefully I'll be ready to go Sunday."

Colon termed himself a game-time decision. If he can't start, C Maurkice Pouncey will once again move over to Colon's left guard spot and OL Doug Legursky will start at center.

Polamalu does not practice again: S Troy Polamalu made his return to game action early this week, but he seems to have been taken off the practice field.

Polamalu did not practice for the second-consecutive day Thursday. On Wednesday, it was said Polamalu was given the proverbial "veteran's day off" that coach Mike Tomlin made famous with now-retired WR Hines Ward in recent years. But Tomlin did not give healthy players two days off in a row.

Also, when Colon first missed a practice Nov. 23, it was brushed off as a "veteran's day off." Colon missed the next two games and is still recovering.

The Steelers have officially listed Polamalu's absence from practice as "not injury related," lending more legitimacy and easing any worry about Polamalu's ability to play Sunday.

Polamalu said Thursday that the two calf injuries he suffered this season were to separate muscles in his right calf. Polamalu missed the Steelers' second and third games of the season, came back and played one quarter against Philadelphia on Oct. 7 and didn't play again until Sunday in Baltimore.

Although Polamalu's snaps were limited against the Ravens, he said, "It felt good. I felt good all game."

"Troy's instincts are so great," said defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, "and that's something you don't lose. From the first snap that he went in there, you could tell it was Troy in there. He's just a special player. We’re happy to have him back."

The 'Boo-boo Crew': Offensive coordinator Todd Haley had some fun with his group of wide receivers -- the top three of whom stayed out of practice Wednesday with injuries.

"They call themselves the 'Bugatti Crew' -- I call them the 'Boo-boo Crew,'" Haley said Thursday. "Today they were back out here and were moving around a lot better. As the week progresses they should feel better. Hopefully, by game time, we will have the full cast and crew."

WR Emmanuel Sanders remained limited in practice with a shoulder joint injury. WR Antonio Brown played Sunday but was less than 100 percent because of the ankle he injured against the Giants last month. WR Mike Wallace has a knee ailment that is not significant.

"I think we're getting some guys back, some really key guys that we need at the right time," Wallace said. "It's just going to take time, and these next four weeks are really going to write the story."

Veteran WR Plaxico Burress said of the group of Wallace, Brown and Sanders, "I've never been around a group of guys with that much talent and speed and the things that they can do." As a result, when all are healthy -- and WR Jerricho Cotchery also is on track to return from his rib injury -- Burress will see limited snaps. He was on the field for only one play Sunday in Baltimore.

"I think he has been around long enough to understand where he fits right now," Haley said. "That doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. With injuries and things like that, he could be playing more or less. He has been around long enough to understand how it goes. He is mature enough to handle it. He is a grown man that understands what he is trying to work toward, and he's just getting ready for his opportunities for when his opportunities come."