updated 8:22 p.m. ET May 6, 2005

PITTSBURGH - Tight end Heath Miller unexpectedly took part in the first day of Pittsburgh Steelers minicamp Friday even as the first-round draft pick recovers from offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia.

Miller, the 30th overall choice, said after the April 23-24 NFL draft he hoped to be ready for minicamp. But the Steelers didn’t realistically expect him to be practice-ready until training camp starts July 31.

“I felt really good and it (the groin) feels fine,” Miller said.

Even if his nerves weren’t so fine.

Miller looked nervous during the first of the day’s two practice sessions, at least until he was pulled aside by last year’s first-round pick, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

“I whispered in his ear, ’Just relax. I know what you’re going through. Just go play ball, you’re a good player,”’ Roethlisberger said. “You could tell he relaxed a little bit. But it’s a lot for a guy to go through.”

Miller said Roethlisberger’s advice helped.

“I was a little nervous going in, but I’m glad I got it under my belt and can move on from here,” said Miller, an All-America tight end at Virginia last season. “I just want to get a better understanding of the playbook, get to know my teammates a little bit and get a feel for the offense.”

Running back Jerome Bettis sat out the first of three workouts with a sore quadriceps.

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