? Ben Roethlisberger won't do much more than watch Friday night when the Steelers host the Eagles in the preseason opener for each team. The Pro Bowl quarterback, however, will take some snaps in the 7:30 p.m. game. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Roethlisberger will probably play one series before giving way to Charlie Batch. "We'll play it by ear," Tomlin said. The Steelers had been limiting Roethlisberger in practice because of a minor groin problem. He participated fully during Wednesday afternoon's practice.
? Tomlin did rule out four players for the game, including strong safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and nose tackle Casey Hampton, who is working his way into shape. Each are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, though Tomlin said both Polamulu and Hampton are "close" as far as starting to practice. In addition to Polamalu and Hampton, Tomlin said free safety Anthony Smith (groin) and tight end Cody Boyd (shoulder) won't play against the Eagles. Smith practiced yesterday, but he has been sidelined for most of training camp.
? Sean Mahan will start at center tomorrow and Justin Hartwig will get the starting nod the following Thursday when the Steelers play the Bills in Toronto. "Then we'll have a definitive direction as to which way we want to go after that," Tomlin said.
Mahan, who is No. 1 on the depth chart at center, is trying to hold off Hartwig for the starting job. Tomlin said the offensive line starters will play for "roughly" a quarter against the Eagles.
? Free safety Anthony Smith returned to practice with a bang yesterday. Hines Ward can attest to it. Smith blasted Ward after the veteran wideout caught a pass in a seven-on-seven drill during the afternoon practice. Ward stayed down for several seconds before getting up. "You're surprised about it," Ward said of the hit. "I normally don't get hit like that until the preseason games." Smith, who had been sidelined with a pulled groin, has a bit of a history when it comes to belting wideouts at training camp. Last year, he drilled Willie Reid several times during one practice, arousing the anger of the wide receivers. When asked if he will say anything to Smith about dialing it down a notch in practice, Ward said, "We'll talk about it."
? Mewelde Moore, Eddie Drummond and Jeremy Bloom will return punts against the Eagles, coach Mike Tomlin said. Moore will also return kickoffs, along with Reid and rookie Rashard Mendenhall. "The big thing we want to do is to give everybody an opportunity to show what they're capable of doing," Tomlin said. The Steelers were 30th in the NFL in punt returns last season (6.1 yards per return) and 21st in kickoff returns (24.6). Moore is first on the depth chart at both kickoff and punt returner.
? Tomlin said Lawrence Timmons will play inside linebacker against the Eagles. Timmons, who is behind Larry Foote at right inside linebacker, has played both inside and outside during training camp. ... Punter Daniel Sepulveda had surgery yesterday to repair the torn ACL in his right knee.
? Tomlin did rule out four players for the game, including strong safety Troy Polamalu (hamstring) and nose tackle Casey Hampton, who is working his way into shape. Each are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, though Tomlin said both Polamulu and Hampton are "close" as far as starting to practice. In addition to Polamalu and Hampton, Tomlin said free safety Anthony Smith (groin) and tight end Cody Boyd (shoulder) won't play against the Eagles. Smith practiced yesterday, but he has been sidelined for most of training camp.
? Sean Mahan will start at center tomorrow and Justin Hartwig will get the starting nod the following Thursday when the Steelers play the Bills in Toronto. "Then we'll have a definitive direction as to which way we want to go after that," Tomlin said.
Mahan, who is No. 1 on the depth chart at center, is trying to hold off Hartwig for the starting job. Tomlin said the offensive line starters will play for "roughly" a quarter against the Eagles.
? Free safety Anthony Smith returned to practice with a bang yesterday. Hines Ward can attest to it. Smith blasted Ward after the veteran wideout caught a pass in a seven-on-seven drill during the afternoon practice. Ward stayed down for several seconds before getting up. "You're surprised about it," Ward said of the hit. "I normally don't get hit like that until the preseason games." Smith, who had been sidelined with a pulled groin, has a bit of a history when it comes to belting wideouts at training camp. Last year, he drilled Willie Reid several times during one practice, arousing the anger of the wide receivers. When asked if he will say anything to Smith about dialing it down a notch in practice, Ward said, "We'll talk about it."
? Mewelde Moore, Eddie Drummond and Jeremy Bloom will return punts against the Eagles, coach Mike Tomlin said. Moore will also return kickoffs, along with Reid and rookie Rashard Mendenhall. "The big thing we want to do is to give everybody an opportunity to show what they're capable of doing," Tomlin said. The Steelers were 30th in the NFL in punt returns last season (6.1 yards per return) and 21st in kickoff returns (24.6). Moore is first on the depth chart at both kickoff and punt returner.
? Tomlin said Lawrence Timmons will play inside linebacker against the Eagles. Timmons, who is behind Larry Foote at right inside linebacker, has played both inside and outside during training camp. ... Punter Daniel Sepulveda had surgery yesterday to repair the torn ACL in his right knee.
