The Steelers wrapped up their practice preparations on Friday and will now travel out west to take on the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The week ending injury report from Friday is out and as expected, defensive end Aaron Smith (foot), nose tackle Casey Hampton (shoulder), linebacker James Harrison (eye) and guard Doug Legursky (toe) did not practice and have been ruled out this week. Nose tackle Chris Hoke (neck) did not practice for a third straight day and is listed as doubtful. Steve McLendon will likely make his first start at nose tackle on Sunday regardless if Hoke dresses. Linebacker Jason Worilds (quad) did not work today after suffering a bruise yesterday that caused him to be limited. He is listed as questionable on the Friday injury report, but signs point to him being ready. Center Maurkice Pouncey (elbow), wide receiver Mike Wallace (hamstring) and running back Rashard Mendenhall (knee) all returned to practice fully on Friday and are listed as probable. Pouncey is dealing with pain in the elbow after injuring it on Thursday, but says he will play. Guard Chris Kemoeatu (knee), running back Mewelde Moore (ankle) and tackle Marcus Gilbert (shoulder) all practiced fully this week and were never listed on the week 7 injury report. Kemoeatu will start at left guard with Legursky being sidelined a while and Gilbert said he will start at right tackle this week in place of Jonathan Scott.
For the Cardinals on Friday, safety Kerry Rhodes (foot) was ruled out as expected. Tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) missed a third straight day of practice and is listed as questionable. Tight end Jim Dray (pectoral) was limited again on Friday and is also listed as questionable. Linebacker Joey Porter (knee) and punter Dave Zastudil (right knee) both practiced fully again on Friday and both are listed as probable.
