The Steelers faced mixed reviews Thursday on the injury front.
Starting quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is making "progress" with his hyperextended/bruised left knee, according to coach Bill Cowher. Still, he remains doubtful for Sunday's home game with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Backup Tommy Maddox has been upgraded from questionable to probable with a calf injury.
And wide receiver Hines Ward's hamstring, which kept him out of a second consecutive practice, is becoming a "concern," according to the Steelers coach.
Ward sustained the injury Sept. 18 against the New England Patriots, but finished the game. He struggled with the injury in the days leading up to the Monday night matchup in San Diego, but played the entire contest and finished with six catches for 83 yards.
Asked if he's worried about Ward's hamstring, Cowher answered quickly.
"Certainly, he didn't work today," Cowher said. "We'll see how he is (today). So yes, it becomes a concern."
It is still uncertain who will start at quarterback.
Roethlisberger, who was injured on the Steelers' game-winning drive Monday night, did not practice yesterday, but walked without a noticeable limp around the practice field as Maddox and Charlie Batch ran the team. He also participated in light throwing.
In the three days since the injury, Roethlisberger has gone from using crutches Tuesday, to ditching them and limping Wednesday, to walking with a purposeful gait, with the help of a knee brace, yesterday.
"We are taking it day-to-day," Cowher said of Roethlisberger, the NFL's top-rated passer. "We'll see how he feels (today), and if he has made much progress."
Cowher said Roethlisberger moved at a decent pace around the practice field, but ...
"I wouldn't call it running -- a light jog," Cowher said, smiling.
Cowher said a player does not necessarily have to practice to play. That means Roethlisberger could miss the rest of the week and still have a shot at facing the Jaguars.
"It's case-by-case," Cowher said. "Obviously, if you have somebody who hasn't practiced all week, you have to take that into account. I've never had a blanket rule in regards to that. We are just going to look at all the circumstances and go from there."
If Roethlisberger can't go, it appears Maddox would be the starter Sunday, though Cowher has yet to make that call.
"I haven't really made a decision at this point," Cowher said. "That'll be a game-day decision."
