Thursday Post-Practice Report: Ben takes another step towards playing vs Browns

By Dale Grdnic

PITTSBURGH -- With one remaining before the Pittsburgh Steelers wrap up their practice sessions for the regular-season finale Sunday at 4:15 p.m. at Cleveland, center Maurkice Pouncey, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and wideout Emmanuel Sanders are much closer to playing.

All three went through a second straight full practice Thursday and just have to finish strong this week. Strong safety Troy Polamalu (knee) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, so his status will be determined after Friday's workout. And outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) practiced on a limited basis both days, so he likely will not play unless he can get a full workout in Friday.

"We're just trying to take it one day at a time,'' Roethlisberger said Thursday after practice. "We'll see how tomorrow goes and keep plugging away.''

Roethlisberger added that his ankle was a little sore Thursday after the most intense workout since playing in the game at San Francisco Dec. 19. Steelers offensive coordinator Bruce Arians believed that Roethlisberger held up real well after two practices and added that he was much more confident that the quarterback would play this week.

"He moved around good today, a little better than yesterday, but I think being on the grass helped,'' Arians said. "Being on the turf (Wednesday indoors) was different, so it was good to be outside in the cold and on the grass. It really got the blood flowing, so it was good.''