They don't call him "Little Ben," so when Ben Roethlisberger isn't on the practice field for the Steelers, it's pretty obvious.
Roethlisberger wasn't there for the first portion of practice on Thursday as the Steelers (5-0) continued preparations to play the Titans (5-0) in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday.
But the Steelers' starting quarterback was out there for the second half of practice, something offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner said simply was something the team planned to get backups Mason Rudolph and Josh Dobbs some additional work.
"He's good," Fichtner said of Roethlisberger, who was officially listed as limited Thursday with a personal issue. "Part of our maintenance program that we do, some of the things help with the development of our young quarterbacks. We've got to step back at times and make sure we're doing that. He finished practice really well and did a nice job."
That, however, is outside the norm for the Steelers. Roethlisberger did not practice on Wednesday -- as has been the case the past few seasons -- at which time the backups take all of the snaps. But the 38-year-old is coming off of surgery to repair three torn flexor tendons in his right elbow.
He said Wednesday, however, his elbow hasn't been an issue.
"It feels great. No setbacks, no issues," said Roethlisberger, who has thrown 11 touchdown passes and one interception in the Steelers' first five games. "Every once in a while I will bump it on the ground or get hit and I’ll feel it. But those are more just bump, nothing on the surgical side. Everything is going great."
The Steelers went through their second day of practices in preparation to play the Titans. The only players listed as not participating were cornerback Mike Hilton (shoulder) and fullback Derek Watt (hamstring). After being limited Wednesday, guard David DeCastro was a full participant Thursday.
For the Titans, the only players who missed practice were rookie offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (illness) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee). Brown appears to be a maintenance issue. Wilson being out makes it more likely journeymen Dennis Kelly and Ty Sambrailo will be the starting offensive tackles for the Titans. Starting left tackle Taylor Lewan was placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL earlier this week.
Tight end Jonnu Smith returned to practice as a full participant Thursday after being limited Wednesday by an ankle injury.