NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reports Mike Wallace is expected to rejoin his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates Tuesday after skipping all of the team's offseason workouts to this point because of a contract dispute. He's got a lot of catching up to do.
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Wallace is joining an offense that is dramatically different than the one he left.
While Antonio Brown and company have learned offensive coordinator Todd Haley's system, Wallace has been falling behind.
It can be difficult for players to get back up to speed physically even in the best of circumstances. Learning the plays while getting into "football shape" makes life more difficult for Wallace.
Dwayne Bowe's situation in Kansas City could be indicative of what's ahead for the Steelers wideout.
Bowe re-joined the Kansas City Chiefs two weeks ago, and has looked rusty since coming back to the field. He lined up as a backup in the Chiefs' recent preseason game, and did not look like his usual self. Haley once buried Bowe on the depth chart when the two men were together in Kansas City.
We highly doubt that will happen to Wallace in Pittsburgh, but don't just assume Wallace will pick things up where he left off last year. Antonio Brown now has the contract of a No. 1 receiver.
When the season starts, look for Brown to be Ben Roethlisberger's top option.
Follow Gregg Rosenthal on Twitter @greggrosenthal.
