Steelers sign Spence to shore up LB corps

Sean Spence hasn’t played in the NFL since early October, but he was watching “Monday Night Football” and saw the terrifying injury involving his old teammate, Ryan Shazier.

“As soon as I saw Ryan go down, my heart dropped,” Spence said. “I felt for him. I saw him grab his back. When I saw the stretcher out I dropped on my knees and said a prayer for him. I said a prayer for him before I went to sleep.”

When Spence awoke Tuesday morning, it was to a phone call from the Steelers. They wanted to sign Spence, who was drafted by the Steelers in the third round of the 2012 draft and played for them through 2015.

Spence is back because of the injuries to Shazier and his top backup, Tyler Matakevich, who injured his shoulder in the game Monday against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Spence spent the 2016 season with the Titans and the first half of this season with the Colts, who released him in October.

Spence brings with him plenty of experience. He has played in 49 NFL games and started 19, including 13 with the Steelers.

L.J. Fort played the remainder of the game Monday after Matakevich was injured. He only has one career start under his belt, and that wasin 2012.

Spence took some reps with the first-team defense Wednesday, but that likely was done just to get Spence back up to speed with his old teammates. Fort is likely to start Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens if Matakevichis ruled out.

“I feel like I’m in the flow of things,” Spence said. “Obviously, not playing football, it’s hard to replicate that with the workouts, but I’ve been doing it to the best of my abilities, and I should be ready to go Sunday. It’s going to be an easy game to get up for. I’m looking forward to it. We’re 10-2,the team that drafted me. I’m familiar with everyone here. It felt like a big family reunionwhen I got back.”

Matakevich did not practice Wednesday. He left the game in the third quarter Monday and did not return.

Ravens say a prayer

Respect between rivals would be a simplistic way to describe the series between the Steelers and the Ravens. The best way to describe the series between the Steelers and the Bengals might be disrespect.

That was clearly evident in the actions and words of the Steelers and Ravens on Wednesday.

The Ravens, who play the Steelers Sunday night at Heinz Field, began their team meeting Wednesday with a prayer for Shazier and his recovery.

While the Ravens were doing that, the Steelers were not shy about sharing their feelings on the difference between playing the Ravens andthe Bengals.

“I mentioned it before the game,” Ben Roethlisberger said. “When you play Baltimore you’re going to get your head knocked off, and you’re going to try to knock their head off, but you’re going to help them up and respect them. ‘Great job let’s go at it again.’ It’s kind of fun playing in that kind of football game. It’s not fun in the sense that yourbody hurts.”

Linebacker Arthur Moats acknowledged the level of respect for the Ravens is greater than with the Bengals.

“We’re going to have a lot of big hits, but it’s never with the malicious intent you sometimes get when we play Cincinnati,” Moats said. “We’re going to compete until the bitter end. You saw that last year on Christmas. But there’s always that respect level.”

No. 50 on the field

Shazier might be injured, but his No. 50 was still on the practice field this week.

Fellow linebacker Vince Williams wore Shazier’s jersey during practice Wednesday on the South Side. Williams is one of Shazier’s close friends on the team, and ESPN cameras spotted him crying on the sideline in the aftermathof Shazier’s injury.

NFL Network’s Aditi Kinkhabwala talked to cornerback William Gay, who said of the gesture: “That’s ‘shake and bake.’ He’s making sure ‘Shake’ is still out there.”

Injury report

Tight end Vance McDonald, who has missed the past three games with an ankle injury, returned to practice and was a full participant. Safety Mike Mitchell, who missed two of the past three games with an ankle injury, also was a full participant and is hopeful he can play Sunday.