BOCA RATON, Fla. -- James Harrison is expected to return for a 14th season, but first he's having a rigorous offseason training regimen to ensure his body can take a full season. He'll be 38 in May, after all.
This video shows a guy who will be just fine playing football again ...
Nonetheless, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin respects Harrison's preparation process and won't rush one of his favorite players back.
"James is not going to shortchange himself," Tomlin said. "James is not going to shortchange the game of football. I believe him when he says he’s going through a process to see his overall readiness and potential effectiveness. He knows what he’s doing. He’s been doing it a long time. He knows whether or not his body can do what he needs it to do. I respect that mentality. It’s an unselfish mentality if you think about it."
Asked if he’d like a timetable from Harrison, Tomlin said he doesn’t need one and added, "I’m not going to ask him to do much in Latrobe anyway." He joked Harrison will be on 'Field 8' for much of camp, away from teammates. Harrison gets plenty of rest days in August.
When the Steelers draft defensive players in late April, expect them to do so with Harrison's roster occupancy in mind.