Steelers veteran Hines Ward back in action

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward, who played much of last season with a torn ligament in his thumb, has completed a post-surgery NFL practice. The Steelers took Ward off the physically unable to perform list on Monday morning after he was cleared by doctors to return to training after his off-season operation. He took half as many repetitions as his first-team offense team-mates, but was happy to be back. "I needed a starting point," he said, "and today was a good starting point. Tomorrow I'll get a little more reps." Ward's first practice catch was characteristic as he crossed the goal line with the ball in his hands during a red-zone drill. "It felt good just to get down, and for me, I had to use my thumb on that, and it felt good," Ward said. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, often reluctant to single out players for praise during training camp, was pleased. "He looked like Hines, and that's what we expect," Tomlin said. "It was great to have him back out here, not only in terms of what he's capable of but his outlook and energy he brings to the game."