Steelers training camp inside the ropes: First-round pick Burns getting tough welcome going 1-on-1 with Antonio Brown

• The Steelers have been up front about challenging first-round pick Artie Burns, and they're having him learn by putting him up against All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown in practice.

If Brown's body language is any indication, he's taking the matchup seriously.

Brown faced Burns on multiple occasions in various drills Monday. On two notable occasions, Brown made a catch with Burns on him for “touchdowns.” Brown loudly bellowed and gestured to fans each time with celebrations akin to when he scores during a regular-season game.

Once, it was during the “Seven Shots” two-point conversion drill when Brown was a late option for a scrambling Ben Roethlisberger. Brown indicated he was being held by Burns but caught the pass anyway. Later, Burns couldn't prevent a Brown catch in a one-on-one drill, and Brown ran about 50 yards after the catch into the end zone as Burns chased.

• Coach Mike Tomlin was quick to point out that the return of Roethlisberger to practice after a day off Sunday is what led to what was a much better day by the offense. “That's why I laughed (Sunday) when you guys suggested it was the defense's day,” Tomlin said. The offense scored on five of the “Seven Shots.”

• Through four practices, it has become apparent Roosevelt Nix is being looked at for a bigger role on offense this season. The former standout college defensive lineman was the surprise of last year's camp by making the team as a fullback. This year, he regularly is taking the field among the first few plays with the first-teamers, and he also is lining up in new spots (tight end areas, split wide). The quarterbacks haven't been afraid to target him, and Nix has shown surprisingly good hands. During a running backs catching drill in the end zone, for example, he made a one-handed catch while keeping his feet in bounds.

• Roethlisberger playfully chided Levi Norwood during a drill in which receivers ran routes and were not allowed to look back until Roethlisberger released a pass and yelled “ball.” “Ah, you cheated!” Roethlisberger said with a smile to Norwood on the final throw. “You peeked back early!”

• Continuing with the alternating pattern of the previous three days of practice,Ryan Harris was back with the “1s” at left tackle.

• Xavier Grimble continues to tantalize and frustrate at the same time. The athletic tight end again had a strong practice in terms of getting open, and he made multiple catches during team drills. But he also dropped a pass that hit him in the numbers while wide open in seven-on-seven. Afterward, tight ends coach James Daniel lectured him on catching with his hands and not his body.

• Ladarius Green continues to run alongside other “listed” players Shakim Phillips and Devaunte Sigler during practice. Green is not in pads, is not at full speed and is not cutting. But for what it's worth, the tight end has no visible limp, and his ankle injury isn't apparent to the naked eye.

— Chris Adamski