Looking ahead to the session …
• What: Steelers practice
• When: 1-3 p.m.
• Where: Rooney Sports Complex
• Media availability: Coordinators, 3 p.m.
4:21: Stephon Tuitt was back at practice today as a full participant after missing Wednesday with an illness. Martavis Bryant was back, as well, for the Steelers. Haden was officially listed as a limited participant, as was Tyler Matakevich for the second straight day with a shoulder injury. They were was joined today by JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) and Maurkice Pouncey (hip).
Vance McDonald (shoulder) and Sensabaugh were the only players who did not practice at all.
3:37 p.m.: Defensive coordinator Keith Butler said Friday will be the big day in terms of deciding whether or not Joe Haden is capable of playing Sunday against the Patriots.
"I don't know," said Butler when asked if he thinks Haden will play. "I hope he does."
Hope is one thing as Haden attempts to come back from a fractured fibula suffered Nov. 12. But practice participation is another. And Haden participated in his first full practice Thursday since the injury after making it through a walk through Wednesday.
"He looks good me to me, I told him that the other day," said Butler. "What's going to happen is how does he feel tomorrow? That's going to be the biggest thing. Then, we'll see. We'll play as we go."
If Haden is unable to return, rookie Cameron Sutton would likely be the next man up. Coty Sensabaugh, who has started the past four games in place of Haden, splitting time with Sutton the past two games, is dealing with a shoulder injury.
12:55: We had a quick 15-minute session in the locker room after lunch and I grabbed Mike Hilton and asked him the difference between the Steelers (11-2) and Patriots (10-3) as organizations.
Hilton spent eight days on New England's roster after being released by Jacksonville at the end of training camp last year, eventually signing with the Steelers last December.
"They're both easily the top two organizations in the NFL," said Hilton. "They're run differently. In New England, they're straight-forward, take care of business. Here, it's a little more relaxed. Everybody takes their time getting into the process."
Hilton was with the Patriots when Tom Brady was suspended last season at the beginning of the year for his role in Deflategate. So, no, he didn't get a chance to pick off Brady in practice.
"Hopefully it comes Sunday," said Hilton. "We'll see."
THE SETUP
Reminder: We can’t report what we see in NFL practices, per league guidelines. So we’ll just use this space for any allowable updates, as well as a quick repository for news after the practice and media availability.
It’s Thursday, so coordinators Todd Haley and Keith Butler will be available. DK and Matt Sunday will join me on the coverage today. I'll put any immediate news of note here on this live file, then I’ll have full coverage later.