A veteran defensive lineman joined teammates for offseason practice Tuesday, ending his extended on-field absence from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It just wasn’t the player whose time away from the organization has generated so much speculation about his future.

While nose tackle Tyson Alualu attended the first of six organized team activities the Steelers will conduct this spring, defensive end Stephon Tuitt was nowhere to be found at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.

Tuitt, who missed last season grieving the death of his younger brother in a hit-and-run accident while also undergoing minor knee surgery, was one of only a few veteran players who didn’t show up for the start of the third phase of the NFL’s offseason conditioning program.

“I’ve talked to him,” defensive captain Cameron Heyward said. “He’ll be here sooner or later.”

Fans are hoping Tuitt’s return is sooner rather than later, particularly given the amount of time the ninth-year defensive end has missed (30 games over the past four seasons).

Coach Mike Tomlin reminded that these spring workouts are voluntary. Attendance doesn’t become mandatory until minicamp in two weeks.

“I focus my energy on those that are here,” Tomlin said. “That’s how I make it a productive day, particularly in the football environment that we are in. … I’m doing a disservice to the men that made a commitment to be here if I have any other mentality.”

Heyward took a similar stance toward Tuitt, who missed minicamp last year after his brother’s death and did not practice in training camp before his knee surgery.

“All we’re asking the guy is to be ready for Week 1,” he said. “This is not something to go crazy about. Let’s worry about the guys that are here. I know he’s getting the work in as well.”

Heyward keeps in regular contact with Tuitt, his teammate since 2014. So has Alualu, who joined the Steelers three years later. They both communicated with Tuitt on Monday when he celebrated his 29th birthday.

“He’s good,” Alualu said. “He’s back with his family and working.”

Heyward said Tuitt remains in Carmel, Ind., where he lives in the offseason. Tuitt sold his house in Pine Township shortly after the 2021 season ended, leading to speculation he might not return for the final year of his contract, one that counts nearly $14 million against the salary cap.

“Everybody thought that because he sold his house, he wasn’t part of the team,” Heyward said. “You can rent anything. We’ll see him certainly.”

Heyward was asked why he is so confident Tuitt will not only return but pick up where he left off from the 2020 season. Before his brother’s death, Tuitt had a career-high 11 sacks and 25 quarterback hits, plus forced two fumbles and three pass breakups in 15 games.

“Because I’m confident in Stephon Tuitt,” he said. “Last year is last year. We grow, we live and we move on. My brother was hurting last year, and he had to do some things in his life to get them right. His knee wasn’t right. I can’t imagine being in the situation he went through, but I’d like to think he’s in a better place.”

For his part, Alualu participated in an official workout for the first time since September, when a fractured ankle ended his season after two games. Although he elected to show up for the first OTA session — Alualu also makes his year-round home in Pittsburgh — he doesn’t begrudge Tuitt for his absence.

“As a veteran, you have to do what is best for you,” Alualu said, “so that when it does matter, when you have to play on Sundays, whatever it takes for you to get to that point to be your best, we’re all for it. It’s not about being here at practice or OTAs.

“Of course we want him here, but whatever you can do to get prepared for the season, that’s all that matters.”

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