Ben Roethlisberger missed his second consecutive day of practice as the Steelers prepared for their home opener Sunday against the Chiefs, putting his status somewhat more in question for the game.
Roethlisberger is dealing with a bruised elbow suffered in overtime of last Sunday's 21-21 tie at Cleveland.
He was sacked from behind by rookie linebacker Genard Avery on the play and fumbled, with the Browns recovering in Pittsburgh territory. But T.J. Watt blocked Cleveland's attempt at a game-winning field goal and Roethlisberger returned for the game's final play, throwing incomplete to receiver Justin Hunter.
Roethlisberger said Wednesday he would be "fine," and he expects to start Sunday against the Chiefs.
Offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner isn't ready to say Roethlisberger is going to be questionable to play, but did admit it can be a little more difficult to prepare without the starting quarterback on the field.
"We've been used to it in the past knowing Wednesdays he's not going to practice, and then if he's being nagged with anything only helps the other guys," Fichtner said. "I don't want to say we'll coach the ones who are out there because it's not that simple. It looks like progress is being made, though."
Roethlisberger struggled through a tough game in the tie against Cleveland, accounting for five of the Steelers' six turnovers in the game. He threw for 335 yards and a touchdown, but was intercepted three times and lost two fumbles.
If Roethlisberger is unable to play, second-year quarterback Josh Dobbs would see his first official NFL action. Dobbs was kept over longtime backup Landry Jones in a surprising move at the end of training camp.
"You obviously would want to tailor it to the things he does best," Fichtner said of the playbook if Dobbs were forced into action. "You're going to try to tailor it to what you have and putting people in the best position to make a play and do it for the right reasons."
Dobbs completed 29 of 43 passes in the preseason for 434 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 112.0. He also rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
Roethlisberger, All-Pro guard David DeCastro and cornerback Joe Haden all missed their second consecutive day of practice for the Steelers.. DeCastro is dealing with a fractured bone in his hand that forced him to miss two plays against the Browns, while Haden has a minor hamstring injury.
But tight end Vance McDonald, the only player held out of last week's game because of injury, made it through his second consecutive day of practice Thursday and is on course to make his season debut against Kansas City. McDonald has been dealing with a foot injury that has sidelined him since July 29.
If McDonald is ready to go, the Steelers would welcome back a big weapon to their offense.
"You've got explosion, you've got playmaking ability at that position," Fichtner said of McDonald. "I keep teasing, just about the time we get Vance back practicing, then Ben's not practicing. There has been not one day since we first started practicing for fall camp that we've had a full unit. That's not an excuse. It's never going to be an excuse. But it's nice to see our guys starting to get healthy again."