Lawrence Timmons did something on the practice field he has been unable to do since the Steelers made him their No. 1 draft pick. He made his teammates and coaches take notice of his ability.

It happened yesterday morning at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe when he made a juggling interception of a pass thrown by Charlie Batch, eventually cradling the ball to his chest as he was falling to the ground. It was a play that demonstrated the agility and athletic talent possessed by Timmons, and the reason he was the 15th player selected overall in the National Football League draft.

Matt Freed, Post-Gazette Lawrence Timmons watches as his teammates practice yesterday afternoon. Timmons injured his groin in the morning workout. Click photo for larger image. Related coverage Video: Steelers get physical on Day 4 Slideshow: Camp Tomlin Day 4 Steelers Notebook: Holmes aching to get back to practice Your Pictures: Click here to upload your photos from the inaugural Camp Tomlin and share them with the rest of the Steelers Nation. TODAY The 7 p.m. practice at Latrobe Stadium is open to the public. The weather forecast calls for a high of 75 with scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Timmons, an outside linebacker from Florida State, gained even more attention, though, for what happened after that.

He re-injured his groin and did not practice in the afternoon, the same injury that caused him to effectively miss all the workout programs and mini-camps in the offseason.

And here's the curious part: Timmons said he didn't re-injure the groin on any one play in the morning. Rather, he said the injury is the wear and tear of participating in the number of two-a-day drills since the start of training camp.

The Steelers have practiced twice a day since Tuesday and will have another two sessions today and tomorrow.

"The two-a-days, a two-hour practice each time, that's hard on a groin you never did anything to," Timmons said. "The wear and tear on the body. ... You got to be smart with everything. It's nothing specific. I'm just being safe."

Timmons said he did not know how long he will be sidelined, but he insisted his decision not to practice in the afternoon was more for precautionary reasons than concern. He termed the injury "nothing serious."

"I can still go," he said. "I'm just going off what's best for my body."

Nonetheless, even Tomlin conceded it was another setback for a young player who is trying to impress his coaches and teammates with what he can do.

"No doubt," Tomlin said. "When you watch guys and check their level of preparation, it's testament to their offseason program. [LaMarr] Woodley has distinguished himself a little bit because he was healthy and able to get a rep or two [in the offseason]. Lawrence has to make up ground. It's nothing earth-shattering, but that's the reality of it."

The reference was to LaMarr Woodley, an outside linebacker from Michigan who was the team's second-round draft pick. Woodley is a different style of player than Timmons -- he's a converted defensive end who is more of a pass-rusher -- but he has been getting more snaps at training camp because the coaches got to see him perform extensively in the offseason.

Timmons' latest setback will prevent him from playing catchup, at least for now. Meantime, Woodley is likely to play more immediately than Timmons, probably as a replacement for left outside linebacker Clark Haggans in some third-down situations.

"They're both talented linebackers," said inside linebacker James Farrior. "I think both of them are going to be good players. You can tell on the field."

Problem is, Timmons hasn't been on the field as much as the coaches would like. Moreover, his injury is a concern because it's a recurrence of the problem he has had from the outset of the offseason -- a sign that his groin is not completely healed.

Timmons sustained the injury on the first day of mini-camp and never took part in another workout session the rest of the offseason. When he reported to training camp Monday, he said he was fully recovered and ready to go. But, in yesterday's morning session, Timmons said his groin felt sore.

However, he did finish the practice, and even made a couple big plays.

"He felt a little twinge, so we're just being cautious," Tomlin said. "We don't want to take steps backward as we move forward. Until that point, he did make a play or two, and that was good."

Timmons said not to worry -- there are more good plays to come.

"I'm still out here on the field, taking plays, listening to the coaches," he said. "I don't think this is a setback. I'm just taking it day-to-day and not trying to rush anything. I still got a whole 20 days to go [of training camp]. We got time."

Asked if the injury felt worse than during the offseason, Timmons said, "No, nothing like that. There's no discomfort. Groins take a while to heal, It takes time. You can't rush anything.

"I think I'm coming around good. The next couple weeks, I'll be fine."

The Steelers are keeping their fingers crossed.