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Roethlisberger limited by shoulder problem
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_587384.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 87384.html[/url]
• Ben Roethlisberger got treatment on his shoulder Tuesday and will be limited in practice today. The Steelers quarterback, however, should be fine for Sunday night's game against the Browns in Cleveland, coach Mike Tomlin said. "Just a little sore from playing in a football game," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger. Starting left tackle Marvel Smith (groin strain) and starting cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel contusion) also will be limited in practice, Tomlin said. Both are expected to play in the 8:15 p.m. game. Tomlin said tight end Sean McHugh, who signed with the team last week, will practice today. The Steelers held McHugh, who is nursing a minor ankle injury, out of practice last week as a precaution.
• Tomlin said free safety Anthony Smith was not active for last Sunday's game because the team decided to dress an extra offensive and defensive lineman as a concession to the warm weather. "It really wasn't about Anthony, per se," Tomlin said. "It was about September football and being able to wage the battle of attrition in the lines of scrimmage. A lot's been written or said about maybe the age of our defensive line. Maybe there's strength in numbers and we can keep the old guys up if we play a bunch of them." Tyrone Carter served as the No. 3 safety -- he can play both safety positions -- and CB William Gay has practiced at safety and could have been used at free safety, Tomlin said.
• The Steelers had success neutralizing Texans kick returner Andre Davis by not kicking directly to him. Tomlin said the team will take the same approach Sunday when they face Pro Bowl return man Josh Cribbs. "Jeff (Reed) has done a nice job, particularly last week, spraying the ball around for us," Tomlin said. "Hopefully (kickoffs are) not in the middle because we know what (Cribbs) is capable of doing with the ones that go right to him." Cribbs had kickoff returns of 100 and 90 yards against the Steelers last November at Heinz Field. He missed the Browns' season opener Sunday with an ankle injury but is expected to play against the Steelers.
• The Steelers signed wide receiver Martin Nance to the practice squad and released rookie wide receiver Micah Rucker.
Digits
8 -- Times the Steelers have beaten the Browns in nine games at Cleveland Browns Stadium, which opened in 1999.
Scott Brown can be reached at [email="sbrown@tribweb.com"]sbrown@tribweb.com[/email] or 4
By Scott Brown
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
[url="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/steelers/s_587384.html"]http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... 87384.html[/url]
• Ben Roethlisberger got treatment on his shoulder Tuesday and will be limited in practice today. The Steelers quarterback, however, should be fine for Sunday night's game against the Browns in Cleveland, coach Mike Tomlin said. "Just a little sore from playing in a football game," Tomlin said of Roethlisberger. Starting left tackle Marvel Smith (groin strain) and starting cornerback Deshea Townsend (heel contusion) also will be limited in practice, Tomlin said. Both are expected to play in the 8:15 p.m. game. Tomlin said tight end Sean McHugh, who signed with the team last week, will practice today. The Steelers held McHugh, who is nursing a minor ankle injury, out of practice last week as a precaution.
• Tomlin said free safety Anthony Smith was not active for last Sunday's game because the team decided to dress an extra offensive and defensive lineman as a concession to the warm weather. "It really wasn't about Anthony, per se," Tomlin said. "It was about September football and being able to wage the battle of attrition in the lines of scrimmage. A lot's been written or said about maybe the age of our defensive line. Maybe there's strength in numbers and we can keep the old guys up if we play a bunch of them." Tyrone Carter served as the No. 3 safety -- he can play both safety positions -- and CB William Gay has practiced at safety and could have been used at free safety, Tomlin said.
• The Steelers had success neutralizing Texans kick returner Andre Davis by not kicking directly to him. Tomlin said the team will take the same approach Sunday when they face Pro Bowl return man Josh Cribbs. "Jeff (Reed) has done a nice job, particularly last week, spraying the ball around for us," Tomlin said. "Hopefully (kickoffs are) not in the middle because we know what (Cribbs) is capable of doing with the ones that go right to him." Cribbs had kickoff returns of 100 and 90 yards against the Steelers last November at Heinz Field. He missed the Browns' season opener Sunday with an ankle injury but is expected to play against the Steelers.
• The Steelers signed wide receiver Martin Nance to the practice squad and released rookie wide receiver Micah Rucker.
Digits
8 -- Times the Steelers have beaten the Browns in nine games at Cleveland Browns Stadium, which opened in 1999.
Scott Brown can be reached at [email="sbrown@tribweb.com"]sbrown@tribweb.com[/email] or 4
