The Steelers began practice preparations Wednesday for the week 16 game versus the Ravens on Sunday. Safety Troy Polamalu (knee), defensive end Brett Keisel (neck), cornerback Anthony Madison (illness), running back Willie Parker (knee) and wide receiver Hines Ward (hamstring) all sat out on Wednesday. The MRI on Polamalu revealed favorable results, however he still is not sure when or if he will practice this week. His status for Sunday gets more doubtful everyday he misses practice. Ward said after practice that there\’s no way he\’s missing the game against the Ravens. Cornerback Keenan Lewis (back), running back Rashard Mendenhall (hip) and wide receiver Mike Wallace (knee) all were limited in participation on Wednesday, but all three should be back fully on Thursday.
For the Ravens on Wednesday, tackle Jared Gaither (foot), linebacker Tavares Gooden (groin), long snapper Matt Katula (forearm) and safety Ed Reed (groin) all sat out practice today. Reed was in South Florida getting an opinion on his injury. Center Matt Birk (neck), wide receiver Mark Clayton (knee), safety K.J. Gerard (thigh), tight end Todd Heap (chest), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle), nose tackle Kelly Talavou (knee), wide receiver Kelley Washington (ankle) and linebacker Jarret Johnson (knee) were all limited on Wednesday. Tight end L.J. Smith (ankle) practiced fully.
