Crisis averted.
Ben Roethlisberger was a full participant in the Steelers' final practice Friday before their home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at Heinz Field, meaning the quarterback is likely to play in the game.
That had come into question when Roethlisberger sat out Thursday's practice after also missing Wednesday with a bruised elbow on his throwing arm. Roethlisberger suffered the injury while being sacked late in the team's 21-21 tie last Sunday in Cleveland.
"He's always great, he's always a trooper," Antonio Brown said when I asked him how Roethlisberger looked. "He's amazing. I've seen him fight through worse stuff. I think he's going to be all right."
"He's a competitor. He's a trooper. Anytime he has a chance to be out there, you know he's going to be out there."
That would be good news for the Steelers, who also expect to get tight end Vance McDonald back for the game after he missed the opener with a foot injury that had sidelined him since early in training camp.
The news on All-Pro guard David DeCastro isn't nearly as good. DeCastro had a brace on his fractured right hand Friday and missed his third consecutive day of practice. He returned to play last week against the Browns after suffering the injury, but the hand swelled considerably, which is now the issue.
If DeCastro is unable to play, B.J. Finney would get the start in his place. Finney, a native of Kansas, has made seven career starts in his three NFL seasons, but two have come in the previous two years against the Chiefs.
"We were joking about that earlier," center Maurkice Pouncey told me. "This is the third year in a row. It's a great opportunity for him. We know a lot more linemen play than just five guys. Finney's always been a key guy to put in there. He's basically like a starter."
The Steelers also will likely be without cornerback Joe Haden. Haden missed his third consecutive day of practice with a strained hamstring.