Were the Steelers unveiling a new wrinkle or merely giving quarterback Ben Roethlisberger some work in the hurry-up offense?

Whichever, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt had Roethlisberger use a no-huddle offense for the Steelers' first series, which lasted six plays and resulted in a 16-yard touchdown pass to receiver Cedrick Wilson.

"We worked on it in training camp and Ben expressed an interest in wanting to do that," Whisenhunt said. "That's the key. I think Ben has progressed with it."

Whisenhunt said the no-huddle offense he used in last night's 17-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Heinz Field is not the same as the one-minute offense the Steelers use at the end of a half.

Will the Steelers use more of no-huddle once the regular season begins?

"It depends on how we execute," said Roethlisberger, who completed 3 of 4 passes for 30 yards without an interception. "If we keep executing how we are, I think it could be a major weapon for us."

Whisenhunt said, "It will be part of our package."

Porter plays

Despite taking part in contact drills for the first time just six days earlier, outside linebacker Joey Porter played the first three series with the first-team defense -- a surprise move considering the little work he has had in training camp.

"I needed to get out there and see how I was going to feel in the real-game atmosphere," Porter said.

Porter, though, looked a little tentative, especially on a 17-yard run by Chester Taylor in the first quarter in which he did little more than attempt to shove the Vikings running back as Taylor ran by him in the middle of the field.

"It held up pretty good," Porter said. "I was fatigued a little bit, but I feel like I can get better. Overall, it was pretty good."

"When he's out there, he competes, just like everyone else," said inside linebacker James Farrior. "Just for him to be out there is a plus and for him to get reps is great."

Rookie mistake

Rookie wide receiver Santonio Holmes, the team's No. 1 pick, had a tough first half, appearing to run a wrong route and not looking on a pass thrown by Charlie Batch that was intercepted by safety Darren Sharper.

Then, on the next series, he made what appeared to be a nice catch on the sideline, only to juggle the ball and have the play ruled incomplete. Coach Bill Cowher challenged the call, which was made in front of the Steelers' bench, but the play was not overturned.

Holmes finished with just one catch for 11 yards in the first half. He also returned two kickoffs for 39 yards and had a 12-yard punt return.

Not good enough

Farrior was critical of his performance, perhaps because he failed to break up a pass that resulted in Brad Johnson's 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jermaine Wiggins. But it wasn't his fault.

On the play, Farrior managed to hit Johnson's arm as he was throwing, causing a wobbly pass that Wiggins caught behind safety Troy Polamalu.

"I didn't do anything [last night]," Farrior said. "I didn't hit anybody. I don't think my uniform got dirty. I have to improve my game, too."

Punt return plan

As he said he might do when he drafted them in April, Cowher decided to use Holmes and rookie wide receiver Willie Reid as twin safeties on a punt return in the fourth quarter. The experiment might be short-lived. Reid muffed the punt and recovered.

Staley runs

Running back Duce Staley got an extended look in the first quarter, carrying five times for 11 yards against the Vikings. However, in his first third-down situation, Staley failed to pick up a block on defensive end Erasmus James that resulted in Charlie Batch having to hurry an incompletion.

Staley was glad to get some playing time after missing the entire preseason in 2005 and appearing in just 13 games during the regular season.

"This preseason is very important to me, especially after missing last preseason," Staley said. "I think I'm getting there."

Quick snaps

The only Steelers player injured in the game was defensive end Shaun Nua, who sprained his ankle. ... Punter Chris Gardocki did not fare well on both punts against the Vikings, getting off a wobbly 42-yarder in the first quarter and a 36-yarder in the third quarter. Gardocki, who enters his 16th NFL season, is battling Mike Barr to retain his job with the Steelers. ... Tight end Heath Miller was presented the Joe Greene Great Performance Award at halftime as the team's top rookie in 2005. Miller was named in a vote by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association of America. ... Wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) did not play for the second game in a row. Also scratched were tight end Jerame Tuman (hamstring), wide receiver Sean Morey (wrist), center Chukky Okobi (neck) and wide receiver Isaac West (knee).