Steelers uncertain whether Ben Roethlisberger can play vs. Ravens

Even though Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbackBen Roethlisberger said his goal is to return to practice following this weekend's bye, the team is uncertain he can recover from a knee injury in time to play in Week 9 against the Ravens in Baltimore, a source told ESPN.

"Ben always puts a premium on the Ravens game, but it's awfully early," one source close to the situation said Thursday. "I'd be nervous about it. It could be Dallas [in Week 10] or even the week after.

"I would guess we're still a few weeks out."

Roethlisberger had surgery to repair the meniscus in his left knee Oct. 17. Doctors initially told the Steelers that Roethlisberger's knee surgery would sideline him four to six weeks, and as of last week, he still hadn't gotten his stitches from the surgery removed.

Roethlisberger did some individual work at practice last week and said in a radio interview on 93.7 The Fan, "I'm taking it day to day, but my goal is to practice next week."

While Roethlisberger may not be ready for the Ravens game, this weekend's bye did Steelers' wide receiver Antonio Brown some good, giving him an extra week to rest what he described as "little hip pointer" he suffered during the team's loss to New England in Week 7.

"Getting better," Brown texted last week.

With the extra week of rest, Brown says he is likely to be healthy enough to play against the Ravens.