Roethlisberger still limping, missed Wednesday’s practice
PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger didn’t practice Wednesday, and didn’t appear as if he will practice any time soon after limping badly through the locker room Wednesday in his slippers prior to donning a protective boot on his sprained left ankle.
Roethlisberger’s teammates, of course, continue to believe he’ll be ready for the game Monday night in San Francisco, particularly after Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that all Roethlisberger would need to do is practice by Saturday.
In the meantime, third-team quarterback Dennis Dixon said he took some reps with the first team in anticipation of a return to the playing field, as well as a return home to San Leandro, Calif.
“That’s right across the bridge from San Francsico,” said Dixon. “It’s my first time going back home since I’ve been in the NFL, so I’m kind of excited.”
Will he play?
“I have no idea,” he said. “I’ve got to be ready, of course. If I have a hat, I’ve got to be able to answer the bell, but I haven’t got that hat yet.”
Dixon has only been active for two games this season, but did not play in either game behind Roethlisberger and Charlie Batch.
Dixon was the team’s starting quarterback last season for the opening-day win over Atlanta and then the follow-up win in Tennessee, where he injured his knee in the second quarter and was placed on injured reserve, thereby ending his season.
With such a long time off, does he wonder what kind of a quarterback he’s become in his fourth season?
“Obviously time will tell,” he said. “I feel I’ve improved but obviously I’ve got to show my teammates and of course fans that I am capable of getting the job done.”
MILLER ALL-FUNDAMENTAL: Steelers tight end Heath Miller was named to the USA Football All-Fundamentals Team for “exhibiting exemplary football techniques for youth players to emulate.”
Miller was one of 26 players chosen for the team (11 offense, 11 defense, 4 special teams) by a five-man committee made up of Charles Davis, Herm Edwards, Merril Hoge, Jim Mora and Carl Peterson.
Miller was honored by the award and the $1,500 grant that will be forwarded to the youth or high school program of his choice. He credited his position coach at the University of Virginia, Andy Heck, for teaching him the fundamentals of his position after spending his first two games in college as a quarterback.
“I didn’t know anything about blocking,” said Miller. “My position coach was a 10-year NFL veteran as an offensive tackle. He taught me everything I know, as far as blocking is concerned.”
Heck, now the offensive line coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was a first-year graduate assistant at the time.
“I feel fortunate to have been taught from the ground up, pretty much, by him,” Miller said. “And then coming here with coach (James) Daniel has added to that. I’ve had good coaches. I’ve been lucky with that.”
INJURY LIST: The Steelers did not release an injury report, but among the players missing Wednesday’s practice, along with Roethlisberger, were Troy Polamalu, Ziggy Hood, Emmanuel Sanders and Maurkice Pouncey — according to sources, of course.
QUOTABLE: Ryan Clark on whether Jason Worilds has earned the respect of the defensive players as a replacement for either James Harrison or LaMarr Woodley:
“Oh, without question, without question. You probably hate hearing ‘the standard is the standard’ since you hear it a lot, but that’s how we feel. When you get in, you need to play. When you get in you need to produce. We shouldn’t miss a beat. Everybody in a helmet should be able to make plays. Everybody in a helmet should be able to go out and do their job. And Jason has more than done that for us this year.”