After injuring his ankle in practice a day earlier, Pittsburgh Steelers veteran safety Damontae Kazee wore a walking boot Sunday and said it could be a while before he returns to the fields at Saint Vincent College.
Kazee indicated that, with a cautious approach, he could be out for a week.
“I could practice on Tuesday if I want to, but I have to slow down,” Kazee said.
The Steelers will conduct their first practice in pads Tuesday. They are off Monday.
Kazee figures heavily into the Steelers safety rotation. While Keanu Neal has been taking first-team reps at strong safety, Kazee has found a niche in nickel and dime packages. With Minkah Fitzpatrick missing time because of a personal matter, Kazee was looking for more playing time in the base defense.
“It’s frustrating,” he said. “I love football. There is no slowing me down. I have one speed out there. I walked with coach (Mike Tomlin) and had to tell him, ‘You have to tell me to stop.’
“It’s only the first week of camp, and I want to make it to Week 1. At the end of the day, I have to be more careful out there.”
Kazee injured his wrist last summer in the preseason finale and began the season on injured reserve. He returned for the final nine games, starting four. He re-signed with the Steelers in free agency, agreeing to a two-year, $6 million contract.
Rookie running back Alfonzo Graham, who injured his shoulder in practice Saturday, had a sling on his right arm Sunday.
