Steelers' Polamalu tests recovery at camp

LATROBE, Pa., Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive player Troy Polamalu says he is hopeful his rehabilitated Achilles tendon will be in shape by the time the season begins.

Polamalu, the NFL's defensive player of the year in 2010, is recovering from a partially torn Achilles tendon that hampered his performance in the post-season and the Super Bowl, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Monday.

The Steelers' five-time Pro Bowl safety chose to let the injury heal itself rather than opt for surgery.

"It went well," Polamalu said. "It's always advantageous [when you don't have surgery]. But it's a disadvantage that it takes time for nature to take its course."

Polamalu was on the field at the Steelers' training camp at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., Sunday for the first practice in pads.

"The big test is coming out here and doing football movements," he said. "It's hard to simulate movements by yourself.

"There's always a chance to re-injure. But that's what constant rehab and constant maintenance is for."