Defensive tackle Montravius Adams Sr. returned to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday but will remain on the injured reserve.

The Steelers now have a 21-day window to activate Adams or he will miss the remainder of the season.

“Honestly, it felt great to be back,” Adams said. “To be back with the guys, nothing but good spirits.”

Adams suffered a knee injury practice the Friday before the Steelers played the New York Jets and has been on IR since Oct. 22. On Tuesday, Tomlin hinted that Adams could be cleared to practice this week.

The 6-foot-4, 304-pounder, who is in his eighth NFL season and fourth with the Steelers, has eight tackles and one sack in seven games this season. Adams started 17 games the previous two seasons but has been replaced by Dean Lowry on the depth chart as the backup defensive tackle.

Adams said what made it more difficult was that he had battled back from an offseason injury, only to miss four games with the knee.

“To come back for the season and do something like this and be out for a while, I think it’s just the transition of being out and having to work back,” Adams said. “It could be difficult sometimes but if I’m being honest, man, I appreciate the staff, especially the training room, and just the guys. I’m right there. My body is feeling great and I’m ready to go.”

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