Steelers CB Gay practices again, could play
Cornerback William Gay practiced Wednesday for the second consecutive day, and he could play tonight in Cleveland, even though the Steelers listed him as questionable on their injury report.
Even if Gay, who got knocked out of last Sunday's game with a concussion, suits up for the 8:20 p.m. game, he may not start.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week that he may make changes to the lineup and that could translate into rookie cornerback Joe Burnett making his first career start.
Burnett played in place of Gay when the latter got hurt last Sunday, and he dropped an interception on the Raiders' final drive.
The missed opportunity loomed large in the Steelers' 27-24 loss, but Burnett and rookie Keenan Lewis have shown Tomlin enough that both could get significant playing time at cornerback against the Browns.
Burnett, a fifth-round draft pick out of Central Florida, watched a replay of his dropped interception the night of the Raiders' game, and he later talked about it with veteran free safety Ryan Clark.
"I beat myself up all night for that," Burnett said. "I hold myself to higher expectations, and as a professional, you've got to be accountable, you've got to make that play. It was a missed opportunity, but as a corner, you have to have a short memory and move on and make the next play."
» Hines Ward practiced on a limited basis yesterday, and the Steelers' wide receiver may play tonight against the Cleveland Browns. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) has been ruled out. Ward is nursing a minor hamstring pull, and the Steelers listed him as questionable on their injury report. With Ward's availability in question, the Steelers promoted rookie wide receiver Tyler Grisham from the practice squad to their 53-man roster yesterday. The Steelers released quarterback Tyler Palko to make room on the roster for Grisham.
» Steelers backup quarterback Charlie Batch practiced this week, and he likely will be in uniform tonight. Batch, who broke a bone in his left wrist Nov. 22, has been wearing a soft cast. He's listed as probable for the Browns' game, as is starting running back Rashard Mendenhall. Mendenhall was limited in practice Tuesday because of swelling in his ankle. The Steelers' leading rusher was a full participant in practice yesterday.
» The Browns could be without several starters tonight, as they try to beat the Steelers in Cleveland for the first time since 2000. Linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (knee), cornerback Eric Wright (hamstring) guard Rex Hadnot (knee) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring) are listed as questionable. All four practiced on a limited basis yesterday. Wimbley leads the Browns in sacks with 6.5.
» The Steelers are close to having a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers for the first time since 2001. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger already has more than 3,000 yards passing, while Santonio Holmes (987 receiving yards) and Ward (922) are close to the 1,000-yard receiving mark. Mendenhall has 887 rushing yards.
DIGITS
31 —
143.5 — Passing yards the Browns average per game.
QUOTABLE
"We knew coming into the season we were going to get everybody's best shot. We had to be prepared for it, and we know that we're going to get Cleveland's best game, and it would definitely make a brighter season over there if they could beat the Pittsburgh Steelers." — Steelers inside linebacker James Farrior
