Aug 5, 2015 5 min read

LATROBE – Brandon Boykin and Antonio Brown are OK.

When the Steelers traded for Boykin Saturday, it raised the question about how the two would interact after having a war of words in the media in Boykin’s rookie season in 2012.

“That’s funny. We were just talking about that when I first got here,” Boykin said Wednesday at training camp at Saint Vincent College.

“My rookie year, he had said something, the candy bar situation. He was like, ‘Man, I don’t even remember who told me to say that. Somebody was calling you that, the offensive coordinator or something. You were a little bit mad about that, too.'”

“I was like, ‘Yeah. I had to get you back for that one,'”

Brown called Boykin, then Philadelphia’s nickel cornerback, a “candy bar” in an exclusive interview with the Observer-Reporter the week before the Steelers’ 16-14 victory over the Eagles at Heinz Field.

When asked what kind of candy bar, Brown replied, “Snickers.”

The implication was that Boykin, then a rookie playing in a secondary that included Pro Bowl cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha, was a sweet matchup for the Steelers’ wide receivers.

That prompted Boykin to take a dig at Brown, who was coming off his first 1,000-yard season, telling reporters in Philadelphia, “I just found out who he was this week.”

They both have moved on to bigger and better things. Though Brown played through an injury-plagued 2012 season in which he was limited to 66 receptions, he has established himself as one of the best receivers in the league the past two years, leading the NFL in pass receptions and receiving yardage last year.

Boykin tied for second in the NFL in interceptions (6) in 2013 but found himself the odd man out for the Eagles this year as Philadelphia wanted taller cornerbacks, which is something the 5-10 Boykin couldn’t accomplish no matter how hard he tried.

The Steelers had a need at cornerback because second-round draft pick Senquez Golson arrived at training camp with a shoulder injury that had not healed since he was injured at minicamp in June. Golson said he expected the month off would help heal the shoulder. Now, the Steelers are considering whether it will get better with rehabilitation or require season-ending surgery.

“We’re just trying to decide what we’re going to do,” said Golson, who had 10 interceptions last season at Mississippi. “This is my first injury, ever.

“If I’m going to need surgery for sure, then it’s a matter of when.”

The Steelers gave up a conditional mid-round draft pick in 2016 to acquire Boykin, though he’s going into the final year of his contract.

Just 25, Boykin could factor into Pittsburgh’s long-term plans. But if he plays well this season, it might be difficult for the Steelers, who also selected cornerback Doran Grant in the fourth round of this year’s draft, to re-sign him.

“That’s the furthest thing from my mind right now,” Boykin said of his contract status. “We haven’t played a game at training camp. I’m just trying to focus on learning the playbook and getting acclimated to my teammates. I’m going to let my play speak for myself.”

That also was part of his response to Brown in 2012.

“It’s good that he’s pointing me out, and it’s not doing anything other than giving me a little more attention,” Boykin said in response to Brown. “I’ve got to go out and do what I do. And if I do right, he’s actually helped me in a sense. So tell him I appreciate it.”

Boykin has quickly gained an appreciation for Brown.

“He’s a really cool guy. He’s trying to help me transition,” Boykin said. “We just told each other that we’re going to make sure we get better in practice every day. I can’t wait to continue to go against him every day because it’s only going to make me better. Hopefully, I’ll make him better.”

Safety Robert Golden suffered an injury to his right knee at the end of practice during a two-minute drill when he collided with Brown. Golden was down for several moments before being taken off the field on a cart. Head coach Mike Tomlin said the injury is being evaluated. … The Steelers placed wide receiver Eli Rogers (foot sprain) on the waived/injured list and signed wide receiver/kick returner Kenzel Doe, who played collegiately at Wisconsin. … Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, running back DeAngelo Williams, guard Ramon Foster, linebacker Jarvis Jones, tight end Matt Spaeth and linebacker Ryan Shazier were among those returning to practice Wednesday. … Safeties Mike Mitchell (hamstring), Ross Ventrone (ankle) and Shamarko Thomas (shoulder), wide receivers Markus Wheaton (hamstring) and Martavis Bryant (elbow), defensive tackle Daniel McCullers (hamstring) and cornerback Cortez Allen (knee) did not practice.