Sep 16, 2006 2 min read

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Ben Roethlisberger didn’t miss a practice all week as he recovers from an appendectomy, but remains questionable for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Monday night game at Jacksonville. In the Steelers’ minds, perhaps. The Jaguars certainly don’t feel that way.

“We are pretty confident we are going to see Big Ben,” coach Jack Del Rio said.

Coach Bill Cowher said earlier in the week he might not decide until game time whether Roethlisberger would play, but the quarterback appears ready to go. Normally, the Steelers hold out an injured player only if he can’t practice.

Roethlisberger not only practiced all week, he threw to receivers on Monday and Tuesday during what were supposed to be off days. He was forced to sit out the season-opening 28-17 victory over the Dolphins on Sept. 7 after having his appendix removed four days before.

“He’s progressed, and there haven’t been any setbacks,” Cowher said.

Roethlisberger missed last year’s game against the Jaguars with a knee injury – one of four games he sat out during the season – and could only watch as backup Tommy Maddox had four turnovers in a 23-17 overtime loss.

All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu (shoulder), listed as questionable earlier in the week, was upgraded to probable while practicing for three consecutive days. Wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) was the only player to miss practice, on Wednesday, but worked out the next two days.

Polamalu has not missed a game since being drafted in 2003.

The Jaguars have beaten the Steelers nine times in 17 games since Cowher was hired in 1992, the most victories of any opponent over that span except for Tennessee. The Titans are 12-11 against Cowher-coached teams.