By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

dlolley@observer-reporter.com

LATROBE - It took a week, but the man expected to replace one of the best players in Steelers history finally took the practice field at St. Vincent College.

Guard Chris Kemoeatu, who will replace Alan Faneca at left guard, was activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list Monday afternoon and practiced for the first time. Kemoeatu was under the watchful eye of head coach Mike Tomlin.

"It's great to get him back, of course," said Tomlin. "This is a guy who likes to work. He came in very prepared and had a nice offseason. He came in great condition."

The 6-3, 344-pound Kemoeatu went through the conditioning test last Sunday, but was placed on the PUP list with nose tackle Casey Hampton and safety Troy Polamalu after complaining of weakness in his left triceps. Kemoeatu apparently suffered a tear in the triceps while working out with his brother, Ma'ake, a nose tackle for the Carolina Panthers.

"I was working out back at home with my brother and we were doing steps," said Kemoeatu, a native of Hawaii. "I kind of tripped and landed on my elbow."

The Steelers were waiting for a special elbow brace for Kemoeatu, who will wear it until the injury heals. The brace arrived Monday morning and Kemoeatu began the task of replacing Faneca, who was named to the Steelers' 75th Anniversary Team last year.

Faneca, a seven-time Pro Bowler, signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets after last season and the Steelers immediately named Kemoeatu the starter at left guard.

It was a bit of a surprise, considering Kemoeatu, a sixth-round draft pick in 2005, has just two career starts.

"There's some big shoes I've got to fill and big expectations, not just from the coaches, but from the older guys I'm trying to play next to," Kemoeatu admitted.

He's a little behind because of the missed practices but Kemoeatu expects to quickly get back into the swing of things.

"I've got to get my cardio level back up," Kemoeatu said. "I still kind of feel out of whack and that will be the way it is for a couple of days.

"The brace kind of helps keep my elbow from locking up. It feels all right."

Veteran Trai Essex was filling in for Kemoeatu at left guard. Even with Kemoeatu's return, the Steelers still haven't gotten a look at their starting offensive line as a group yet. On Monday, right guard Kendall Simmons and left tackle Marvel Smith took the day off with shoulder and groin injuries, respectively.

Neither injury is considered serious.

They were among five starters - cornerback Deshea Townsend (groin), defensive end Brett Keisel (groin) and linebacker James Harrison (groin) - also took the day off Monday.

Odds and end zones

Linebacker LaMarr Woodley returned to practice after missing the previous two days with a groin injury. ... Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger continued to work despite a minor groin injury. ... Wide receiver Limas Sweed (hamstring), tight end Dezmond Sherrod (neck), linebacker Anthony Trucks (back), safety Anthony Smith (groin) and linebacker Mike Humpal (hamstring) were out Monday. ... The Steelers will practice twice today. The second practice (5 p.m.) is open to the public.

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