PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The last day of Steelers voluntary workouts on Thursday featured a return to drills for linebacker Devin Bush and offensive tackle Zach Banner.
Both are coming back from knee injuries and Banner said he and Bush are like twins, much like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito were in the movie 'Twins' (given that Banner is 6'8" and Bush is 5'11").
"My guy has been working day-in and day-out right next to me," Banner said. "I can't say anything bad about him. He hasn't missed a day. He's been out here all offseason, just like me. We live here in Pittsburgh. We are Yinzers."
Banner's injury happened in week one at the Giants, while Bush was injured at home against the Browns week 5. Both were starters at positions with little depth.
"The hardest part of this injury process is getting back to being comfortable after you do heal," Banner said. "I'm really, really happy to say we are both in that process. How long it takes to get comfortable? That why I give you guys the cautionary hints that they pull a play in practice or a practice. That's up to the coaches."
So we may see them in drills as they ramp up, but there could be times where they miss some time.
"As for my rehab and Bush's rehab, we are all on schedule," Banner said. "If we get to camp and they pull a day or pull a rep, it's out of protection."
That hasn't been easy for a guy trying to get back to some normalcy on the field. After this past year, I think we can all identify with that.
"I had to get that out of my head," Banner said. "Trying to lead by example and motivate myself through my actions every day."
Banner went through a couple of drills for the first time on Thursday and when he's not practicing he's constantly giving tips, interacting and assisting in any way he can. Even playing shotgun quarterback during drills.
"Coach T has asked me personally to step up my game in all facets of my career on and off the field," Banner said. "I'm like a dog on a leash right now. They keep pulling back. Keep pulling back. One thing you are not going to have to tell me is to give effort and be there."
The third year Steeler won the starting job in last year's camp. He's the favorite to start there in 2021 but needs to continue to check off the boxes of his rehab. He says it's a detailed process, but they are using the same guidelines as with Heath Miller's rehab in 2012-13.
"You guys saw how tremendous he was when he got back," Banner said. "The future looks bright."
