PITTSBURGH — For 15 Steelers, last weekend’s trip to Baltimore was special for more reasons that just the dramatic win over the Ravens.

On Saturday just after the team plane landed at the airport, an entourage of Steelers paid a visit to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. Bethesda is an acute care facility for Marines and Navy personnel wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Many of the injured soldiers are being treated for brain trauma and/or loss of limbs.

“All you try to do I guess is to use your celebrity to help encourage people or bring a smile to their face,” strong safety Troy Polamalu said.

“For our own experience, it was very humbling. It’s tough to complain about anything when you see a guy missing two legs and arm. These are the true heroes.”

Linebacker James Harrison echoed Polamalu’s sentiments.

“It was a very humbling experience” Harrison said. “Those are the guys who are out there risking their lives for us so we can do the things we do here back home. They are the true heroes.

“I know they appreciated us being there, but not as much as we appreciate them for doing everything they do for us.”

Also in the Steelers’ entourage were chairman emeritus Dan Rooney, team president Art Rooney II and former Steelers Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley who are analysts for the Steelers Radio Network.

ADAMS PRACTICES

Good news for the Steelers’ offensive line. Right tackle Flozell Adams was back at practice Thursday after missing Wednesday’s workout with an ankle sprain.

After Adams left the game in the second half in Baltimore, it was feared he wouldn’t be able to play Sunday against Cincinnati. Back at practice, Adams said he will definitely start against the Bengals.

In other injury news, tight end Heath Miller missed his second straight practice due to the concussion he sustained in Baltimore. He is listed as doubtful.

As has been the case in each of the past three weeks, strong safety Troy Polamalu didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday as he rehabs an ankle injury. But Polamalu has not missed any games this year and continues to play at a high level. He’ll be back at practice today and will start against Sunday.