Another practice, another day with Romeus sidelined. But don’t worry, he is getting closer to returning.

Greg Romeus is much improved. He was active today, he worked out hard inside and I expect him to be out there tomorrow practicing.

And the day before that?

He’s fine. He’s just stiff. Hopefully tomorrow he’ll start doing something.

And before that?

Greg Romeus is just sore, I’m not worried. He worked out inside, he’s out here and he’s doing fine. If he feels better, we expect him back out here tomorrow.

Coach Wannstedt is going to be a lot of fun when it comes time to issue weekly injury reports.

Now if this were an NFL training camp, I’d say a veteran like Romeus was probably fine. Just nursing a tweak to avoid some of the drudgery.

Instead, it is hard not to be nervous. No one thinks it will be an Adam Gunn situation where it starts out as a minor neck sprain and turns out to be a broken neck.

With Romeus, it seems to be something with his back.

Unfortunately Sheard’s bookend Greg Romeus has yet to make an appearance, at least in uniform. He has had some stiffness in his back and even though he has been a day-to-day guy officially, it seems a little strange that he has missed so many days. Last season Sheard missed a lot of camp with an ankle injury and it showed as he wasn’t really himself until about four or five games in so this is not a good thing. Romeus needs to get into the mix and start playing because the Panthers really need him.

I guess the only good thing with Romeus out is that it gives the offense something of a chance. I mean it’s not like they look that far behind the defense without Romeus? Oh.

Pitt practiced in full pads for the first time Wednesday, and the players wasted no time putting them to use. Middle linebacker Dan Mason got the action started when he dumped Dion Lewis for a short gain on the first play of 11-on-11 drills. Once again, the defense was more impressive, forcing five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles).

Dave Wannstedt isn’t concerned that the offense is a bit behind.

“I would be very disappointed if we’re out there with a new quarterback, three new offensive linemen, a new tight end and a new starting wide receiver and we’re moving the ball up and down the field,” he said.

And technically the defense is out there with two new starting corners, two new starting linebackers and new defensive tackles. Plus one of the starting DE’s is injured.

Unfortunately the offensive line — at least in the short term — has some problems with depth.

Sophomore Ryan Turnley, who is battling with Greg Gaskins for the starting job at right guard, missed the majority of practice after sustaining a shoulder injury during field goal protection drills. The 6-foot-6, 305-pounder from Hopewell received treatment on the shoulder and watched the rest of practice without pads. The injury is not believed to be serious, but it does set him back a little bit in his bid to win the right guard job.

Unfortunately, Greg Gaskins — the de facto starter at right guard — is hardly impressing anyone.

On the “bright side,” QB Tino Sunseri seems to be adjusting to running for his life behind the line.

Tino Sunseri was on-target for most of the day (two of the three interceptions were with freshmen QBs Mark Myers and Anthony Gonzalez on the field). He was harassed by the Pitt defensive line for much of the day, but showed good decision-making getting rid of the ball in the face of the rush.

If anyone needs me, I’ll be in the corner hyperventilating into a paper bag.