One of the biggest questions as the Pittsburgh Steelers ramped up to training camp was: Who will replace stalwart Mike Hilton as the slot/nickel cornerback? After the second practice of camp, coach Mike Tomlin laid out his plans.

“Right now, we are working (Arthur Maulet) and (Antoine Brooks Jr.) there,” Tomlin told reporters from the field at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. “But there will be times that you will see some other guys. Right now, just focused on those two.”

Brooks took the majority of the first-team reps during the first camp practice. It was the veteran Maulet who was there most of the time on Day 2.

A fifth-year pro known for his special-teams prowess who played the past two seasons for the New York Jets (making 11 starts), Maulet signed a one-year contract in May. Last season, 247 of the 440 defensive snaps Maulet played were in the slot. He also played safety.

“He’s a proven NFL dude,” Tomlin said. “He plays hard on (special) teams. He’s shown an aptitude in terms of playing in the slot in terms of blitz and physicality. Even though he’s not done it in this setting, he is not a rookie. He’s got a reputation and resume, and so we’re utilizing that in making early decisions in terms of getting exposure to him.”

Tomlin said rookie seventh-round pick Tre Norwood also will get a look for the slot gig.

Tuitt, Okorafor limited

Among the starters who have been limited in practice through two days of training camp are left tackle Chuks Okorafor and defensive lineman Stephon Tuitt.

Tomlin downplayed the severity of any ailment either is dealing with, saying, “There are no injuries to speak of.”

“Some guys we are just exercising some precaution,” Tomlin said. “(Okorafor) is one of them. But nothing of any significance that would dictate any significant time missed.”

Tuitt did not attend organized team activities or minicamp after the death of his brother. He is working out but not in team drills.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “Can he go out and play right now? I don’t know. We have to wait and see until we get in pads. All this stuff is based off what we see in pads.”

Heyward on Bush

As a defensive captain, Cameron Heyward has a voice in the Steelers locker room. He has one on social media, too, when it comes to younger teammates.

Heyward appeared to reprimand linebacker Devin Bush on Twitter after the latter had posted several odd messages to his account. Heyward’s “Calm your (butt) down” was a response to Bush tweeting “Welcome to the mind of a psycho.”

“Devin is a grownup. He likes to play young,” Heyward said Friday. “I don’t have to say a lot. I think everyone expected (Bush to act differently), but Devin is a heck of a football player. He can be a kid at times, but we’ll rein him back in when we need to.”

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