Harrison, Ward won’t be at full strength for Sunday’s showdown

The 7-7 Pittsburgh Steelers head into Sunday’s game as a much more confident team than we’ve seen the past couple weeks after last Sunday’s thrilling 37-36 victory over the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers have a “pulse” according to head coach Mike Tomlin and this week the team appeared to have a little bit of their swagger back. It was a much looser team in the locker room. In a must win situation against Baltimore, Pittsburgh will not be close to being at full strength and the same can be said for the 8-6 Baltimore Ravens Strong safety Troy Polamalu will miss his 10th game of the season and starting guard Chris Kemoeatu had a minor setback and will miss

Friday Practice Report: Sweed will be inactive for week 15

Friday Practice Report The Pittsburgh Steelers went through their final practice of the week today as the team looks to snap a five game losing streak. Pittsburgh’s slim playoff chances remain alive after Indianapolis rallied late to beat Jacksonville (7-7) 35-31 Thursday night. However, for a team that hasn’t won since November 9th or won at home since October 25th, the Steelers focus is on just getting a “W”. That in itself will be difficult as the Green Bay Packers (9-4) come to town. Center Justin Hartwig (knee), defensive end Brett Keisel (neck) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) were full participants in practice today and will play Sunday afternoon. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (right knee, wrist) and safety Troy Polamalu

The Latest Steelers Buzz: Kemoeatu, Polamalu out for Sunday’s game

Week 15 Mike Tomlin Press Conference The Pittsburgh Steelers received some bad news last week when star safety Troy Polamaly had an MRI on Wednesday. The Steelers were hopeful that Polamalu would be cleared to practice this week but there has not been enough healing on his injured PCL. Polamalu has been ruled out for this week and his status for the rest of the regular season is in doubt. The injury is worse than initially thought as the Steelers were hopeful that Polamalu would only be sidelined for 1-2 weeks. “The healing process is a little slower than we anticipated, ” Tomlin said. Polamalu told the media on Monday that he is hopeful to play in the Steelers season

Wednesday Practice Report: Kemoeatu a full participant

*** Dennis Dixon’s days as a No. 3 quarterback may be over. His performance in the 20-17 overtime loss in Baltimore was so impressive that Charlie Batch’s run as the backup QB may be over. “We’re so proud of the way Dennis played,” Roethlisberger said. “He played with the fire and intensity we’ve seen from him in practice every day. He played his heart out. The Ravens found out what we’ve known all along. He’s a very good quarterback.” Up until last week, Dixon had been a No. 3 quarterback since his arrival in Pittsburgh as a fifth round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. But he started against the Ravens due to Roethlisberger’s concussion and Batch’s broken wrist (both

Week 13 Injury Report: Polamalu expected to be sidelined until week 15

The Latest Steelers Buzz Safety Troy Polamalu is a week or two away from returning and is categorized as “doubtful” for this week against Oakland, but he won’t play. With a short-turnaround in week 14, Polamalu is scheduled to return to the lineup against the 7-4 Green Bay Packers on December 20th. Polamalu is expected to go through individual drills next week. Kick returner Stefan Logan has a rib injury and will be limited on Wednesday. The Steelers though expect Logan to play. There is some optimism that starting left guard Chris Kemoeatu will be able to play in week 14 against the Cleveland Browns and could possibly return to action this week. Kemoeatu will be limited tomorrow but will

Steelers @ Ravens Game Day Thread: All eyes on Dennis Dixon

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-5) The stunning developments over the past 24 hours of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger being ruled out to start tonight’s AFC North Showdown between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, has put all eyes on quarterback Dennis Dixon. Dixon a second year pro, will make his first NFL start in a hostile territory against a divisional rival that is fighting for their playoff lives. This is a game that many NFL pundits already saw as being very difficult for Pittsburgh, even when it was believed that Ben Roethlisberger would be starting. Roethlisberger will be active tonight, but will serve as the teams No. 3 quarterback. Tyler Palko, an undrafted free agent, will be the Steelers

Steelers increase offer; Sign Kemoeatu to 5 year deal ($6 million in guarantees)

This afternoon Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu gave the Steelers the opportunity to come close to the Jets offer and the Steelers did as the two sides agreed to a 5 year deal worth close to $20 million this afternoon. Kemoeatu will receive $6 million in guarantees. The Jets increased their offer this morning and appeared to be the favorite to sign Kemoeatu but Kemoeatu was torn on leaving the Steelers. The Jets offer was 4 years – $17 million.

New York Jets set to sign Steelers G Chris Kemoeatu; Gives Steelers right to match

The New York Jets have reached an agreement with Pittsburgh Steelers guard Chris Kemoeatu. The Jets and Kemoeatu are close to finalizing a 4 year deal worth – $16 – $18.5 million according to a source. The deal should be finalized by the end of the day but an interesting twist now is Kemoeatu has approached the Steelers with the chance to match the Jets offer. The Steelers made a three year offer worth $3.8 million per season. This would be the second straight season that the Jets signed a Steelers starting guard.

NFL Free Agency begins at midnight; Live Updates appear at the bottom of the page

Live Updates 12:00 a.m. – The Pittsburgh Steelers released guard Kendall Simmons and free safety Anthony Smith today. The Steelers did not offer Smith a tender offer. The Steelers offered RT Willie Colon a one-year, $2.198 million deal. The Steelers have the right to match any deal for Colon and would receive a first round pick if he signed elsewhere. Significant interest in Nate Washington as the free agency period begins. There is no chance Washington returns to Pittsburgh. The Steelers did not make an offer prior to free agency. The Bucs, Titans, Rams, Vikings are reportedly interested in Washington. Sources have indicated that the Bengals, Lions and Bears have also reached out to Washington. 12:27 a.m. – The Redskins