The Facts: Brown is back with the Steelers, and HC Mike Tomlin said the All-Pro receiver is expected to rejoin practices after Thursday's preseason opener at Philadelphia. "He won't be playing in the game," Tomlin said Tuesday. "He's getting closer to a return in terms of his health. ... Look forward to getting him back out there when we get back [to training camp]."

Diehards Line: Brown on Tuesday participated in individual drills but not full-team practice action. According to ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler, working with a trainer on an adjacent field, Brown went 100 yards in a fast karaoke motion while pulling a roped weight. "That hurt," Brown told a trainer after the drill. "Ain't no doubt," the trainer replied. ... In case you missed it, Brown was absent from camp for four practice days after the team sent him back to Pittsburgh for evaluation. Tomlin has not specified the body part that Brown injured but called the ailment "just a day-to-day, minor injury, nothing to speak of." Brown is believed to have suffered a quadriceps injury. ... We'll watch for more.