Redman has come a long way for Steelers

“He sees the hole, he hits the hole, and he runs hard,” tight end Heath Miller said. “And I think that’s infectious about the whole offense when you see a guy that runs this hard and fights for every yard as hard as he does.”

 

During a “backs-on-’backers” drill Saturday, coaches lined up the “main event” finale as Redman vs. Woodley, who is one of the game’s premier pass-rushers. Woodley conceded that, under a format that can be trying on a running back, Redman held his own.

 

“I don’t think people fully realize he was a former state champion in wrestling,” cornerback Ike Taylor said of Redman. “So he’s hard to bring down. And he’s got that ‘man mentality.’

 

“Isaac is just, in a word, tough.”

 

NOTES: Monday is a day off for the players. ... WR Emmanuel Sanders was held out of Sunday’s practice as a precaution. Last season, Sanders was hampered by a foot injury and the rainy week led to the Steelers practicing on an artificial turf field. ... CB Keenan Lewis left practice early due to a shoulder sprain that will be evaluated. ... LT Trai Essex and rookie RG David DeCastro also were forced out of practice but coach Mike Tomlin indicated they will be back for the team’s next workout Tuesday.