Jul 30, 2016 4 min read

LATROBE – Second-year tight end Jesse James caught a ball over the middle Saturday at the Steelers’ second training camp practice and you could sense that the crowd wanted to erupt in a chant of “Heath!”

The crowd controlled that urge.

There is a void left at tight end by the retirement of two-time Pro Bowler Heath Miller and the release of veteran Matt Spaeth, who failed his physical.

Making the issue more troublesome is Ladarius Green, the tight end the Steelers signed to ease the loss of Miller, had offseason surgery on his ankle and opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list.

That leaves the Steelers with James as the tight end on the roster with the most continuous service. David Johnson, an eight-year veteran who returned to the Steelers after playing in San Diego, also is on the roster.

The Steelers lost 20 years of experience at tight end with the departures of Miller and Spaeth.

When the Steelers went to a three-tight end formation during practice Friday, the two tight ends on the field with James were Xavier Grimble, who spent last season on the practice squad, and rookie Paul Lang, who was signed in June.

“It’s a new tight end room. I’m really the only guy that’s back,” said James, a fifth-round draft pick who had eight receptions for 56 yards last season.

“Xavier wasn’t here for camp last year. It’s a little bit different, but I feel good about it. I’ll have to step up a little bit. I was here last year. Me and David Johnson have the most experience.”

The Steelers are unsure when Green, who spent his first four seasons in San Diego, will get onto the practice field. But they knew about his ankle injury and the surgery when they signed him to a four-year, $20-million contract.

“We anticipated this possibility, so he’s right on schedule,” said general manager Kevin Colbert. “We’ll have plenty of time to get him up and running. He’s improved throughout the spring.”

When Green does get onto the field, he’ll be added to a group tasked with replacing Miller, who finished his career with 592 receptions, the second-most in team history.

The Steelers believe replacing Miller will be a multi-player job. Green and James are givens at the position. After that, any of the other tight ends on the roster have a shot to make the team.

“I think the key, and I’ve reiterated it to the group, is that they don’t need to try to be Heath Miller,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who wore Miller’s No. 83 jersey on the first day of practice. “That’s not what we’re trying to do. They just have to make sure they’re not too anxious. They’re doing some really good things, and I’m excited to see what they can do, especially with pads on.”

That will come today when the Steelers hold their first padded practice. And for a young player such as Lang, who lived in Washington for 10 years before graduating from Mt. Lebanon High School, it’s another chance to shine.

“I can’t wait,” said Lang, a Michigan State product. “It’s so much different just coming out here in helmets with pads on.”

Proving to be adept as a blocker as well as a pass catcher will be critical.

That’s where Miller was different. He was a solid all-around tight end. That might be missing from this group, though Colbert said Green will add a different dimension to the offense.

“We’ve never really had a guy like this,” Colbert said about Green, who has averaged a wide receiver-like 14.1 yards per catch in his career.

“As great as Heath was, he wasn’t much of a vertical threat. Ladarius, as a tight end, is exceptional at that. The sooner we get him out there to get acclimated with us and us acclimated to him, the better.”

Odds and end zones

Heavy rain in the area forced the Steelers to delay the start of practice an hour. … Safety Sharmarko Thomas (illness) missed practice. … Le’Veon Bell practiced for the second consecutive day, a good sign for a player who is coming off a major knee surgery. … The Steelers will practice at 2:55 p.m. today. It is open to the public.