Steelers training camp inside the ropes: Tempers flare for Brown, others during joint practice between Steelers and Lions

• Antonio Brown's competitiveness is a big part of what's made him the NFL's best receiver. But it also is what almost got him ejected Wednesday from a joint training-camp practice. During the final drill of the two-hour session with the Detroit Lions, Brown was thrown a long pass in the corner of the end zone from Landry Jones as time was running out in a 2-minute situation. One of the NFL officials brought in for the practice — field judge Terry Brown — called the pass incomplete. Antonio Brown protested (wanting a flag), and did so in a manner in which Terry Brown felt deserved an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in a game situation. “We're here to enforce the rules,” the official said to a practice observer who inquired about what happened. “This is their practice. He will do it here and get away with it. But if he thinks he can do that and get away with it in a game, he's got another thing coming. I'm still going to report it to the league.” Terry Brown, who said Antonio Brown made disrespectful comments toward him, told Steelers receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey the team “better get (Antonio Brown) under control or I'm going to throw him out. He's not going to push me; I'm a veteran, 11 years. … I'm not going to tolerate it.” Brown did not make himself available to speak to reporters after practice.

• Before the snap that included his encounter with Terry Brown, a clearly agitated Antonio Brown went into the huddle and appeared to try to fire up his teammates. Jones threw to him on the ensuing play despite tight coverage by Nevin Lawson.

• Though top cornerback Darius Slay did not participate in the practice, the Lions often double-teamed Brown with some degree of success. During a red-zone drill midway through, as soon as Jones saw Brown in single coverage, he threw the ball his way for a touchdown.

• Brown wasn't the only player who was much more spirited than during the first joint practice Tuesday. Fitzgerald Toussaint began jawing with Lions players after he landed on the ground by way of a tackle (in a non-tackling drill) from Don Carey and Isaiah Johnson.

• The biggest fireworks coming from either session came when about a dozen players from each team came to the aid of Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell and Lions linebacker Josh Bynes during a team drill.

• Among those who did not practice were outside linebackers Jarvis Jones and Bud Dupree, receiver Markus Wheaton, center Maurkice Pouncey and rookie offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins. Rookie safety Sean Davis did not finish practice and watched with a large ice pack on his left knee.

• Issac Blakeney had the catch of the day — a one-handed grab along the far sideline in which the 6-foot-6 first-year player skied over a defender.

• The Lions have a vocal coaching staff, particularly defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, whose voice could be heard from the far practice field all the way to the top of an embankment overlooking Chuck Noll Field.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at cadamski@tribweb.com or via Twitter @C_AdamskiTrib.