Willie Reid Into The Spotlight

Reid will return punts
Friday, October 6, 2006
Steelers.com

Rookie Willie Reid will be returning punts on Sunday night against the Chargers as Ricardo Colclough is out with a neck injury.

Reid and Santonio Holmes, who will also be available to return punts, will also return kickoffs.

Colclough is having tests done on the neck because of a nerve problem, but it is not known when the injury was suffered.

"He doesn't remember any specific situation," said head coach Cowher. "It was something he had been feeling for about a week. He reported it when he came back on Monday. He was out there on yesterday. We let him run around, but stay away from any contact. He continued to feel it so we went through extensive testing today and will go through more tomorrow."

This will be the first game that Reid, a third-round draft pick from Florida State, will be active for a game.

"He is (excited), as he should be," said Cowher. "He has worked very hard. It's not easy for young players to come in and sometimes have to accept a lesser role than what they had in college. That's all part of the process. This is his opportunity and we'll go from there."

Reid found out about the promotion on Thursday and is looking forward to the opportunity.

"I'm very satisfied, very happy," said Reid. "It was a couple weeks of waiting, being patient and working hard. Hopefully, it will pay off Sunday night."