When asked if the immensely talented Timmons is ready to become an every-down player, James Farrior, one of the elder statesmen of the Steelers' defense, said, "He really doesn't have a choice."

Indeed, Larry Foote, who has started alongside Farrior at inside linebacker since 2004, is all but gone.

Foote wants out of Pittsburgh so he can play a bigger role elsewhere, and the Steelers are likely to release the eight-year veteran if they are unable to trade him.

Coach Mike Tomlin again declined Sunday to go into the specifics of Foote's situation. The only thing he has said on the matter is that both he and Foote agreed it was best if the latter did not attend minicamp, which is mandatory.

Farrior echoed comments made by his teammates during minicamp when he said of Foote, "I wish him well. We all still love him in this locker room and all of the coaches still love him. He's got to do what's best for him."

Foote is going into the final year of his contract. Two years ago, the Steelers released outside linebacker Joey Porter, who was also immensely popular with his teammates.

"When Joey left, everybody was upset," Farrior said. "We were all sad to see him go, but we've still got to go about our business."

For Farrior, part of that entails working with Timmons, who played primarily in passing situations last season, so the two can get a better feel for each another's game.

"It's just got to be a situation of me feeling comfortable with him and with the communication out on the field," Farrior said. "We've just got to go through practice with that."

No significant injuries

Tomlin called minicamp, which concluded yesterday, a success in part because the Steelers emerged from the five practices relatively unscathed.

Running back Mewelde Moore slightly sprained his left ankle after getting his foot stepped Saturday, Tomlin said. But Moore is expected to be fine when the Steelers resume offseason practices May 18.

"We came out of the weekend virtually injury free," Tomlin said.

The Steelers held wide receiver Martin Nance out of minicamp because of an undisclosed injury.

"He's scheduled to be looked at in great detail (today)," Tomlin said.

Wide receiver Hines Ward and free safety Ryan Clark also didn't practice as a precaution. Both are recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

"It's actually doing a lot better," Clark said of his shoulder. "Everything's going good."

Early dismissal

Tomlin apparently liked what he saw from the four practices the Steelers held Friday and Saturday.

He had the players dress for practice yesterday, but he let them go before they were about to start stretching as a reward for how they performed the previous two days.

"Had an opportunity to lay eyes on some new guys, instruct them, and watch them take the instruction, and hustle around a little bit," Tomlin said. "Got a chance to gather the veteran players and started the process of building our team for 2009. Great energy, great enthusiasm."

Tomlin continued a tradition he started in 2007 by allowing the players to wear hats instead of helmets on the final day of minicamp.