RB/WR Dri Archer and LB Jason Worilds were absent from practice today. Counting Ike Taylor, Troy Polamalu, and Jordan Zumwalt, that makes five players missing from today’s voluntary practice.

Archer was sent home sick yesterday morning according to Scout reporter Jim Wexell. Hopefully his illness isn’t serious. Tomorrow is the last practice of the week before the team adjourns until next Tuesday.

Jason Worilds reportedly left practice early yesterday with his left thigh wrapped. While the team hasn’t made any official statements about it, Worilds told some reporters it was cramping. Mark Kaboly of the Trib painted a different picture this morning on the radio.

According to Kaboly, Jason Worilds got his foot caught up as he was running in and went down in the heap of players. While Worilds later said it was cramps, Kaboly says it was his hamstring. Hopefully it was the former and not the latter.

DE Nick Williams, OG Nik Embernate, and TE Matt Spaeth did not participate, but were all in attendance rehabilitating today at the South Side. Williams, who is recovering from surgery to repair a knee subluxation, said last month that he was hoping to be able to do some type of work in OTA’s. Embernate is also rehabbing his knee. “Embernasty” tore his ACL and MCL last August. Neither were expected to be full participants at the start of OTAs. The nature of Spaeth’s rehab is unknown at this time.

RB Miquel Maysonet and WR  Jasper Collins were sidelined today according to Wexell. Hopefully just minor issues are keeping them out. Every minute counts when you are a youngster hoping to beat the odds and crack a roster spot, or perhaps even a practice squad spot down the road.