Ben Roethlisberger makes appearance, tosses football at Steelers practice

One day after waiving a rookie quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers had an 18-year veteran attend practice Wednesday.

Ben Roethlisberger was at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as a visitor, however, and not someone looking to make a Tom Brady-like comeback after retiring in the offseason. Instead of sporting a No. 7 black-and-gold jersey, his attire was a light blue golf shirt and shorts.

“I promise you, he was a casual spectator,” coach Mike Tomlin said. “It was good to see the big boy.”

Roethlisberger met with Tomlin and some of his former teammates. He even took the time to throw the ball around with wide receiver Diontae Johnson.

Did Roethlisberger still have any oomph on his passes?

“He’s still got it,” Johnson said, laughing. “He’s still got it. I don’t think that arm will ever go away. It was good seeing him out there.”

It was the first time Roethlisberger attended a team workout since his retirement in January.

“It brought back memories,” Johnson said. “You miss a guy like that (not being) out there, but you still have that relationship you built over time. It was great seeing him. I’m like, ‘Man, I remember catching the ball from him last year.’ It’s different having him watching on the sideline.”

Chase Claypool, who spent two seasons catching passes from Roethlisberger, also caught up with his former quarterback.

“It was a good, quick chat,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing him more and more.”

Tomlin talks cuts

Among the five players the Steelers let go Tuesday — an off day for the team — was veteran linebacker Genard Avery.

Avery started 12 games with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and the Steelers signed him to a one-year contract in March that included a $152,500 signing bonus. But Avery didn’t survive the second round of roster cuts to 80 players. Hamilcar Rashed, who joined the Steelers midway through training camp, got 24 snaps in the second preseason game and has taken reps with the first-team defense lately while starter Alex Highsmith remains out with an injury.

“We make decisions based on what we think positions us to put together the best 53,” Tomlin said. “We’re appreciative of his effort, but we made the decision to move on.”

Another victim of the roster cuts was quarterback Chris Oladokun, one of the team’s seventh-round picks. Tomlin was asked whether the Steelers have left open the possibility of Oladokun returning after final roster cuts.

“I wouldn’t close the door on anything in this business,” he said. “Experience has taught me that.”