Old face, new place: James Harrison returns to different linebacking group

FILE- In this Sept. 21, 2014, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats (55) sacks Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C. The Steelers young linebacker corps is hobbled, giving Moats a chance to play more. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File) (The Associated Press)

FILE- In tis Sept. 5, 2014, file, James Harrison as he points to former teammate and current coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Joey Porter, during the news conference in Pittsburgh, where he announced his retirement from football. With the Steelers young linebacker corps hobbled with injuries after their last game, the Steelers signed Harrison, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, giving him a chance to revive his career at age 36. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) (The Associated Press)

PITTSBURGH – James Harrison returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday to a locker room that looks different than the one he left two years ago.

While the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker was able to get his familiar No. 92 from teammate Daniel McCullers, Harrison's old locker has been taken over by wide receiver Antonio Brown.

Once a vital cog to one of the NFL's top defenses, Harrison will be a role player most Sundays. The Steelers have undergone a youth movement in his absence, particularly at linebacker.

Arthur Moats, 26, will start at outside linebacker this week against winless Tampa Bay. Sean Spence, 24, will start at inside linebacker. Harrison will be a pass-rush specialist if he sees the field at all following his return from a brief retirement.

___

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL