The Pittsburgh Steelers were back on the practice field Thursday in preparation for their week 15 Monday night game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park.
The first official injury report of the week was released on Thursday and it shows that quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (ankle), center Maurkice Pouncey (ankle), wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (foot), linebacker Chris Carter (hamstring), tackle Marcus Gilbert (illness) and safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring) all did not practice. Roethlisberger, Pouncey, and Polamalu were all injured in the Thursday night game against the Cleveland Browns, while Carter and Sanders sat out last week. Gilbert sat out today with an illness. Two players were listed as limited in practice on Thursday and they were wide receiver Arnaz Battle (hamstring) and cornerback Curtis Brown (knee). Not listed on the Thursday initial report were linebacker LaMarr Woodley (hamstring) and defensive end Ziggy Hood (groin) as both practiced fully. Linebacker James Harrison (suspended) also was not at practice today and he waits word on his appeal of his one-game suspension handed down by the league on Tuesday.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said on Thursday that Charlie Batch would start at quarterback if Roethlisberger is unable to play Monday night and Trai Essex would get the start at left guard should Pouncey not be able to start at center.
The 49ers on thursday, linebacker Patrick Willis (hamstring) and left tackle Joe Staley (concussion) did not practice. Fullback Bruce Miller (knee) and wide reciver Braylon Edwards (knee) were limited in practice.
