LATROBE, Pa. -- Pittsburgh Steelers lineman Alejandro Villanueva has a chance to compete for one of the most important positions along the offensive line.Villanueva, in just his second season, is locked in a tight training camp competition with veteran free agent acquisition Ryan Harris at left tackle, the blind side of Steelers star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.For an undrafted guy like me, this is a best-case scenario, to be able to compete for a starting position coming into my second year, Villanueva said. Usually the draft or free agency brings in high-caliber players and I feel I can compete with players, but I just cant compete with a salary.Im thankful for the opportunity to at least get to compete.The Steelers signed Villanueva to their practice squad in 2014 after he was cut by Philadelphia as a defensive end. The team moved the 6-foot-9 Villanueva to left tackle as the former undrafted free agent and Army Ranger gained almost 100 pounds to play along the offensive line.He made the team in 2015 as the swing tackle and was thrust into the starting role after Kelvin Beachum -- now in Jacksonville -- tore his anterior cruciate ligament six games into the season.Villanueva stepped right in, starting the final 10 games.Al did a great job last year and hes a guy whos still learning so much, offensive line coach Mike Munchak said of the 27-year-old Villanueva, who appeared in all 16 games.Als got so much upside and the more he plays, he just gets better every time hes out there.Villanueva feels as if hes grown substantially entering his second season. He took an important lesson from his first NFL start at left tackle -- a loss at Kansas City -- when he allowed a sack against Tamba Hali that clinched the victory for the Chiefs.Everybody makes mistakes, but one mistake can cost you the game Sunday, Villanueva said. You can play a great game, but if you give up a sack, its really ugly.Harris, a nine-year veteran, earned a Super Bowl ring last season, starting all 19 games at left tackle for Peyton Manning, Brock Osweiler and the Denver Broncos. The 31-year-old Harris signed a two-year contract with the Steelers as an unrestricted free agent in March.Ryan has a lot of experience and already knows a lot of the little stuff that Als learning because hes been in the league and hes been successful, Munchak said. Hes been through the ups and downs of the NFL.He was a Super Bowl champion and that brings confidence to your play and the people around you. Hes learned a lot over the years and hes a nice addition to our group.The 6-foot-5, 302-pound Harris has appeared in 110 games, making 70 starts. Harris played for three different teams, including two stints in Denver.My perseverance has given me a lot of confidence, almost as much confidence as my Super Bowl ring, Harris said. Im just happy to be able to continue to do something I love every day.Munchak believes the competition has brought out the best in both players, as Villanueva and Harris rotate daily with the first-team offense. Hes excited to see who ultimately wins the job.You want to do it as quick as you can, so the group knows which direction were headed and they can get used to each other, Munchak said. I think it has a way of playing itself out where it becomes obvious whos the best fit.Game notes Roethlisberger, running backs LeVeon Bell and DeAngelo Williams and wide receiver Antonio Brown all will not play Thursday against Philadelphia. ... Bell, who faces a four-game suspension for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy, said he doesnt know when his appeal will be heard.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLBalenciaga Discount . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Balenciaga Sale . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. http://www.clearancebalenciagaireland.com/ . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Balenciaga Clearance Sale . -- Adam Snyder returned to the San Francisco 49ers this season because the offensive lineman thought it was his best opportunity to win a championship. Cheap Balenciaga Shoes Online . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. The concussion rate in the AFL reached a 10-year high in 2015, according to the leagues annual injury survey.The average number of games missed by players due to concussion per AFL club jumped to 4.2 in 2015 - up from just 1.6 the previous year - to easily set a new high in the past decade of testing.But the AFL says greater precautions being taken in the reporting, diagnosis and treatment of concussions are behind the spike.Rates of concussions causing missed games continues to trend up ... this reflects a more conservative approach rather than a true increase in incidence, says the report, which was released on Friday afternoon.The injury and its long-term effects on AFL players has become an increasingly important issue in recent years, which has been highlighted with St Kilda youngster Paddy McCartin ruled out this week after suffering his third concussion of the season.Brisbanes Justin Clarke was forced into early retirement this season due to lingering concussion symptoms, with othher players including Melbournes Angus Brayshaw and Heritier Lumumba, Hawthorns Jack Fitzpatrick and St Kildas Billy Longer having extended breaks after suffering knocks to the head.ddddddddddddHowever, hamstring injuries continue to be the NO.1 reason players miss matches in the AFL.But the 19.1 games missed per club in 2015 was the lowest figure recorded in the past four surveys.Ruptured ACLs were next with 16.7 games missed per club last season, which was a big jump from the 2014 figure of 11.1.The average number of new injuries recorded by each club was 37.7 - up from the 2014 average of 36.1.Player health and welfare is a primary concern for the AFL, league football boss Mark Evans said.The annual injury survey will direct the work we do with our clubs, research board and others to continue to find ways to prevent injuries and improve recovery protocols. 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