PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton is optimistic his sprained shoulder will be good to go in time for Sunday’s home opener against Cincinnati.

If he wants to keep up with the rapidly maturing players behind him on the depth chart, it’s probably a good idea.

Wheaton practiced Wednesday with an eye toward rejoining Pittsburgh’s electric offense for an early-season showdown with the Bengals. If Wheaton is being honest, he expected to be back earlier and remains at a loss why he found himself on the inactive list

“I wanted to go, I expected to go but I wasn’t able to,” Wheaton said.

So Wheaton found himself watching instead of playing for the first time since his rookie season in 2013 while Sammie Coates and Eli Rogers filled in. The jitters were palpable — for Wheaton, not the pair of second-year players.

“I get so excited watching those guys, I was more nervous watching than playing,” Wheaton said.

Coates and Rogers certainly looked at ease, particularly Rogers. He caught six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown. Coates added two catches for 66 yards against Washington.