Aug 2, 2015 5 min read

LATROBE – Cornerback Brandon Boykin was getting ready for conditioning drills Saturday afternoon when the Philadelphia Eagles reported to training camp in advance of their first practice Sunday.

Boykin practiced Sunday, but it wasn’t in Philadelphia.

He was called into Eagles head coach Chip Kelly’s office Saturday night and told he was traded to the Steelers for a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2016.

Boykin drove to Saint Vincent College in Latrobe and was in pads with the Steelers Sunday.

“I was surprised,” said Boykin, who is entering his fourth NFL season. “I heard things early in the offseason but nothing really came about. I came to camp ready to work and got called into Chip’s office and told what was going on.”

He now has a whole new group of people telling him what’s going on as he took a crash course in Pittsburgh’s defense Sunday. He had meetings with nearly everyone in the organization to go over the ins and outs of training camp, then hit the field in the afternoon for his first practice.

Coaches and teammates were quick to let him know from the sidelines what his coverage responsibilities were on every play he was out there.

“He’s just another NFL-capable veteran corner to put in the mix in a very competitive situation,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “We don’t have a lot of experience. There are some questions at the position. We don’t mind the questions, but we have to have enough viable candidates.”

The Steelers selected cornerbacks Senquez Golson and Doran Grant in the second and fourth rounds, respectively, of the NFL draft. But Golson was placed on the PUP list with a shoulder injury and has yet to practice, leaving the Steelers thin at the position behind starters William Gay and Cortez Allen, and nickel corner Antwon Blake.

Allen missed two practices last week with knee soreness, and Blake left Sunday’s practice with a minor knee issue.

Boykin, who is 5-10 and 185 pounds, gives the Steelers another veteran to add to the mix. A fourth-round pick of the Eagles in 2012, he immediately won a job as the team’s nickel corner as a rookie.

In 2013, he tied for second in the NFL with six interceptions and added one more in 2014, but Kelly wanted bigger cornerbacks and selected three in this year’s draft.

Boykin, who expressed a desire to be more than a third corner in Philadelphia, could get that chance in Pittsburgh. He’s also done some returning, primarly on kickoffs.

“What player is not going to want to play as much as he possibly can?” Boykin asked. “Frustrated? I wouldn’t say that. I would say I was eager to get on the field.

“I’ve been in the slot my entire career. I feel like, once you’re on that field, it doesn’t matter. You’re capable of making plays just like the other 10 guys.”

With the Steelers working on more zone coverages with their defensive backs, Boykin’s ability to make plays on the ball could make him a welcome addition.

He certainly embraces the change and took a parting shot at Kelly on his way out the door, telling a Philadelphia reporter the Eagles head coach was “uncomfortable around grown men of our culture.” That comment came on the heels of running back LeSean McCoy ripping Kelly in a similar fashion when he was traded to Buffalo in the offseason.

Boykin clarified his statement Sunday.

“When you’re a player, you want to be able to relate to your coach, no matter what, outside of football. I want to be able to talk to you about whatever,” Boykin said. “I’m not saying he’s a racist in any way. As a player, I want to be able to relate to my coach a little better. I feel like a lot of guys in that locker room feel the same way.”

Boykin said he has heard nothing but good things about Tomlin. He played collegiately at Georgia with Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones, while punter Brad Wing and offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva both spent time in Philadelphia.

“They told me it’s a great place, a great atmosphere,” he said of the Steelers. “You can have fun. You’re going to learn a lot and work hard. That’s all you want.”

Odds and end zones

Tomlin said center Maurkice Pouncey, who has been on the PUP list with a foot injury, is expected to be activated today. … Wide receiver Martavis Bryant underwent surgery on his left elbow to have an infection removed and will be out for a few days. … In addition to Blake, guard Ramon Foster (stinger), and linebacker Jarvis Jones (biceps contusion) left practice early. … Also sitting out Sunday were safeties Shamarko Thomas (shoulder) and Mike Mitchell (hamstring), linebacker Ryan Shazier (back) and wide receiver Markus Wheaton (hamstring). … The conditional draft pick for Boykin could rise to a fourth-round selection if he plays in 60 percent of the defensive snaps this season. … The Steelers will practice at 2:55 p.m. today. It is open to the public.