It’s new business for TE Grimble

Xavier Grimble understandsthe business of the NFL betterthan most.

The tight end has been released from three teams. He came out of Southern California early in 2014, only to go undrafted. He has gotten his hopes up and then has seen themfall.

But now Grimble finds himself on the other side of thatold “next man up” adage.

Grimble certainly wasn’t happy to see the Steelers release Ladarius Green Thursday. He said he was as surprised as everyone else, but he has learned the hard way that those types of sudden roster moves aren’t uncommon in theleague.

“There’s 53 spots,” said Grimble, the last Steelers playerto exit the field Wednesday after the second OTA of the offseason. “There’s two, maybe three, tight ends that play. Usually the third guy’s playing a lot of special teams. It’s not rocket science. One guy goes out that was playing a lot, and the guy next behind him is going to get more snaps. It’s a next man up business.”

In 2016, Grimble caught 11 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. They weren’t eye-popping numbers, but, from a third tight end, they didn’t need to be.

Heading into his third season in the Steelers organization — he played on the practice squad in 2015 — Grimble seems positioned to secure an expandedrole.

“That’s going to be the expectation, [or] they’ll be finding somebody else that can be readyor wants the job,” Grimble said. “So I’m working every day, hard as I can, to make sure that I’m ready to go once mynumber is called.”

Wednesday, he rotated with Jesse James through repetitions and stayed on the field catching extra balls after practice. “Can never catch too manyballs,” he said.

Brown ‘excited’

Antonio Brown still is not allowed to dance after scoring touchdowns, but he is looking forwardto including his teammates in celebrations now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell relaxed the ruleson celebrations.

The NFL will allow players to do group celebrations with teammates and allow players to use the ball as a prop. Dancing will continue to draw penalties and fines from the NFL office. Brown drew flags and fines last season for his excessive celebrations.

“I’m excited about it,” he said. “I’m looking forward to celebrating with my teammates and doing it the right way.”