After a lengthy preseason hold out, Pittsbugh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace is expected to finally sign a one-year tender and could return this weekend, multiple sources have told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette.
The Steelers play Saturday night in Buffalo. Presumably Wallace would be eligible to play in their final preseason game against Carolina Aug. 30 at Heinz Field, but whether he will or not remains unknown. The Steelers have off on Sunday after their game against Buffalo and will have only two real days of practice before they finish up the preseason against the Panthers.
If Wallace signs the Steelers $2.742 million tender and returns, says Bouchette, it would give the two parties time to work out a new contract before the regular season begins.
The Steelers have a long-standing policy of not negotiating contracts once the regular-season begins. So if Wallace signs his one-year tender Sunday or Monday, it would give them less than two weeks to work on a multiple-year deal with him.
For more on Wallance's possible return, visit the SB Nation blog Behind the Steel Curtain.