The Steelers concluded a busy second week of training camp, which included five straight days of practices with two off-site from their usual surroundings at Saint Vincent College.

Here are some highlights from those sessions.

Martavis Bryant

The NFL continues to be mum on the wide receiver’s status as Bryant’s teammates vent their disappointment over a lack of progress to allow him to practice with the team. The frustration is noticeable within the organization, from head coach Mike Tomlin passing on questions in his post-practice pressers to Art Rooney II biting his lip during ESPN’s coverage of the annual Friday Night Lights practice in Latrobe.

Even Ben Roethlisberger, who reportedly had rubbed Bryant the wrong way a week earlier with some of his comments, has vented his frustration. Martavis is getting antsy, even teasing his return by going to the field in pads before having them taken away on Friday.

At the end you'll see Colbert telling Bryant he can't practice pic.twitter.com/UBTSLoZ3aM

— Ray Fittipaldo (@rayfitt1) August 4, 2017

We’re not positive on what else Bryant has to do, but we do know that someone isn’t sharing the full story, as the receiver initially received his conditional reinstatement back in April. The NFL has given a new meaning to a year suspension, as Bryant’s ban began in March of 2016 but continues through August of 2017; 14 months later. The hope is that Bryant is permitted to begin practicing this week, but until the league lifts a finger, Bryant is handcuffed to the “conditions” having “not been met”.

Friday Night “Lights”

A different kind of “lights” lit up the Latrobe skyline on Friday, when Steelers practice was delayed for lightning strikes shortly after it began. Fans returned to the stadium after a brief wait, but the practice was once again suspended due to impending weather, for the safety of players and the fans. Mike Tomlin rolled with the paces as expected:

Sometimes you have to deal with the unforeseen. We were forced to do so tonight, but we still have work to do. And I think all of these type things kind of prepare us for the things that lie ahead. I was just referencing that to the guys. Last year we played Carolina in the preseason in Pittsburgh and we had a similar circumstance. We had to go back into the locker room and sort out some issues. So, all of these days, regardless of how they unfold, are good learning experiences for us. We still got some productive things done out here in spite of the circumstances. We always appreciate our relationship between Latrobe and the fans here. It was a great atmosphere.

Waaaaaaaait a minute…. 🤔 #FamilyFest pic.twitter.com/pmVWXW0nrn

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 6, 2017

Case of mistaken identity

If you took a second look at the featured image for this article (above) you may have noticed James Harrison wasn’t wearing the right number.

Or color.

Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison exchanged jerseys to make mock entrances of one another during Sunday’s Family Fest held at Heinz Field. Fortunately for fans in attendance, this would be Deebo’s debut in pads for training camp (he has been working out individually in sweats on the sidelines). While it for show, it was still good fun and gave everyone a hearty laugh.

Releases

The Steelers cut ties with two roster hopefuls this week, TE Scott Orndoff and DE Nelson Adams. Adams was released with an injury/waived designation while Adams was simply let go to make room for the signing of CB JaCorey Shepherd. Florida TE Jake McGee was signed in place of Orndoff, leaving the Steelers with Jesse James, Xavier Grimble, David Johnson, and Phazahn Odom as the remaining tight ends on the depth chart. There is a chance Orndoff could be brought back to IR should he clear waivers, in much the same way the organization has done with others during prior camps. However, Orndoff was already facing a battle to make the final 53, and McGee doesn’t appear to have much leverage in that regard either, entering camp midway through.

Shepherd was added to due to a rash of injuries in the secondary but was a player with high upside when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round several years ago. He bounced to the 49ers and now comes to the Steelers at a time when the team is facing injuries to Senquez Golson and Cameron Sutton. Shepherd could carve out a role on special teams with his return experience and may get a few looks while others sit out of practice.

Beautiful sideline pass from Ben to Justin Hunter. Hunter looked very impressive. pic.twitter.com/EcHQB0eLBr

— Ken Sterner (@KenSterner) August 3, 2017

Making most of their time

Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint and cornerback Mike Hilton continue to make the most of the extra repetitions they’re receiving in practice due to a holdout and injuries at their respective positions. Wide receiver c also continues to excel with Bryant, plus Sammie Coates, sitting out of camp thus far.

Mike Tomlin has acknowledged each of their performances by downplaying it as an “expectation from a veteran player”. While this might be true of Hunter, who has had starting opportunities throughout his career, Toussaint had been a practice squad player who was lost on the depth chart, while Hilton is fighting tooth and nail to make an active roster.

Thus far each has made their case to be included when the regular season begins. Friday’s first preseason game against the Giants will be the next big step for those players to make an impact.

AB vs. Cockrell

Ross Cockrell had lobbied to cover Antonio Brown, who had been shadowed for nearly every single play of training camp by Artie Burns.

He received his wish when Burns went down for what is speculated to be a minor injury during Saturday’s practice session.

Antonio Brown just beat Ross Cockrell bad for a 35-yard TD. Comes to Artie Burns and says, "it's too easy! I need you out there!" #steelers

— Chase Williams (@chasepwilliams) August 6, 2017

The corner was able to get some work in with the Steelers star receiver. Ross initially worked his way up the depth chart by volunteering to cover AB in practices when he joined the team back in 2015. He did a well enough job that he received the starting role in 2016 and hopes to fend off any competition throughout camp to remain the starter opposite Burns for the 2017 season.

Injuries and other notes

A huge list of players sat out of Sunday’s practice according to Steelers.com:

Quarterback Landry Jones, wide receiver Demarcus Ayers, cornerback Cam Sutton, safety Mike Mitchell, cornerback Artie Burns, cornerback Senquez Golson, running back James Conner, outside linebacker Farrington Huguenin, outside linebacker Bud Dupree, linebacker Ryan Shazier, center Maurkice Pouncey, defensive end Stephon Tuitt and outside linebacker Keion Adams didn’t practice either due to injury or a coach’s decision.

The good news is, most of those injuries don’t appear to be serious, and in addition, JuJu Smith-Schuster suited up for the first time this week. This year’s second round draft pick was shadowed by former Steelers great Hines Ward, who came out to camp to help give the rookie some pointers.

The team has a day off and will return to practice Tuesday and Wednesday, before taking Thursday off to prepare for their first exhibition game of the preseason on the road against the New York Giants.