Heath Miller has said that he is "encouraged" by his efforts during the Pittsburgh Steelers' organised team activities this month.

The tight end missed the off-season preparations with the AFC North side last year while continuing his recovery from a knee injury, returning to action with the team in the third game of the 2013 regular season.

The 31-year-old told the team's website: "I feel good. Hopefully I will continue to keep getting better and be good to go when the season starts. But I am encouraged with where I am.

"It feels good to do something different. I think everybody has been training hard in the weight room and conditioning so it feels good to do something different and practice what we are here for.

"There are a lot of new faces and this is what these practices are good for. We all get a chance to mesh together and learn each other's strength and weaknesses and learn to play together."

Miller finished the 2013 season with 593 receiving yards and a touchdown for the Steelers.