PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton is optimistic his sprained shoulder will be good to go in time for Sundays home opener against Cincinnati.If he wants to keep up with the rapidly maturing players behind him on the depth chart, its probably a good idea.Wheaton practiced Wednesday with an eye toward rejoining Pittsburghs electric offense for an early-season showdown with the Bengals. If Wheaton is being honest, he expected to be back earlier and remains at a loss why he found himself on the inactive listI wanted to go, I expected to go but I wasnt able to, Wheaton said.So Wheaton found himself watching instead of playing for the first time since his rookie season in 2013 while Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers filled in. The jitters were palpable -- for Wheaton, not the pair of second-year players eager to get involved in what may be the NFLs most talented group of playmakers.I get so excited watching those guys, I was more nervous watching than playing, Wheaton said.Coates and Rogers certainly looked at ease, particularly Rogers. Undrafted after coming out of Louisville in 2015, Rogers spent his rookie season on injured reserve. It wasnt fun, yet he took it as a chance to watch and learn from Antonio Brown. Rogers was the star of training camp while working out of the slot, his skinny 5-foot-10 frame adept at working in tight spaces.With Wheaton sidelined and Martavis Bryant out for the year while serving a drug suspension, Rogers did not waste his chance against Washington, catching six passes for 59 yards and his first NFL touchdown. That came when a pass intended for Coates smacked off Coates right to Rogers facemask before he cradled it in his arms.It was a huge game for him, Wheaton said. First time out. Got his first touchdown, in a weird way, but its still a touchdown nonetheless, so Im proud of him.Coates added two grabs for 66 yards, including a 42-yarder down the sideline that set up the first of Antonio Browns two touchdowns. Tight end Jesse James chipped in five receptions for 31 yards in a pretty savvy impersonation of retired Heath Miller. The Steelers put up 38 points even with running back LeVeon Bell out while serving a suspension of his own.As far as confidence builders go, what the young guys experienced should only make the Steelers that much harder to defend.It makes you feel good and it makes them feel good, Roethlisberger said. Some of those guys got their first NFL experience and for them to get that is a big thing. Ive got confidence in them and I think they have confidence in themselves, so thats key.No wonder Wheaton wants to get back out there and join in on the fun against the Bengals in the renewal of what is becoming one of the more intense rivalries in the AFC.Both teams are, in my opinion, getting better every year, Wheaton said. The rivalry is building because of it. The intensity is building because of it.Game notes LB Ryan Shazier did not practice Wednesday while undergoing treatment for a right knee issue that popped up last in the victory over Washington. ... RB DeAngelo Williams was selected AFC Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for a league-high 143 yards on Monday night.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Dolphins Jerseys Free Shipping . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Cheap Miami Dolphins Jerseys 2018 . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. http://www.cheapdolphinsjerseys.us/ . Fellow centre Pavel Datsyuk remains out because of a concussion. Zetterberg has 11 goals and 19 assists for a team-high 30 points, and Datsyuk has a team-high 12 goals and 11 assists. Dolphins Jerseys China . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Miami Dolphins Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Nick Mullens threw for 342 yards and three touchdowns and sneaked in for another in his final home game as Southern Miss defeated Louisiana Tech 39-24 on Friday night.Mullens, who sat out the last two games because of a concussion after having a 25-game starting streak end, became the Eagles all-time touchdown passing leader with 86, passing Austin Davis (2008-11). D.J. Thompson had 135 yards receiving and two scores. Ito Smith added 127 yards rushing.Despite the loss, Louisiana Tech (8-4, 6-2), which had already clinched the Conference USA West Divisionn, will play in the C-USA championship game on Dec.dddddddddddd 3.Ryan Higgins was 21 of 27 with 244 yards passing and three interceptions after coming in with just four interceptions this season. Trent Taylor had 119 yards receiving.Mullens threw second-quarter touchdown passes of 21 and 8 yards to Thompson with the Eagles (6-6, 4-4) taking a 23-17 halftime lead. 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