Steelers SS Troy Polamalu is expected to work out with the team after a torn knee ligament kept him out of 11 games last season. (Kevin Terrell / Associated Press)

ORLANDO, Fla. — Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that strong safety Troy Polamalu shouldn’t be hampered by the torn knee ligament that kept him out of 11 games last season and that he will participate in some of the team’s offseason workouts.

The absence of Polamalu, who didn’t have surgery to repair a torn posterior cruciate ligament, greatly affected Pittsburgh’s defense and clearly played a part in the unit not being as consistent in the secondary as it had been in the past.

“He’s feeling good,” Tomlin said of Polamalu at the NFL Annual Meeting. “For him, he usually works out in California in the offseason, but he’s generally around for all team-oriented things such as minicamps. He’ll make an appearance at his share of OTA days. In terms of his health, he’s progressing fine, and I don’t see any reason why he’d be prohibited in 2010 with what hampered him in 2009.”

Tomlin also said medical reports have indicated that Polamalu’s knee problem won’t be chronic.

“If another 300-pounder falls on it during a blocked field-goal situation, it could be a problem,” Tomlin quipped.

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