Ben Roethlisberger on track to start this week for Steelers

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger appears to be on track to return to the starting lineup Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

Roethlisberger threw passes during a workout Wednesday that Coach Mike Tomlin said showed “it was a positive day for Ben.”

The 6-foot-5 quarterback known as “Big Ben” has not played since getting injured in a 16-13 overtime victory against Kansas City on Nov. 12, when he strained his right, throwing shoulder and dislocated a rib when sacked by Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali.

Tomlin did not say whether Roethlisberger would start this week.

“He threw the ball around both vertically and horizontally,” Tomlin said. “I thought the ball had good velocity, particularly in a few instances. So, it was positive.”

Roethlisberger says tight end Heath Miller will let him know how close he is to game shape.

“I’m getting there,” Roethlisberger said. “I’ve got to talk to Heath. He’s my barometer. He lets me know how close I am to 100% on velocity and stuff like that.”

The Steelers picked up a big victory over the AFC North rival Ravens on Sunday with a 23-20 upset in Baltimore, but had lost the previous two games in Roethlisberger’s absence and are clinging to a wild-card playoff spot with a 7-5 record.

“We’ll see what tomorrow holds for us,” Tomlin said of Thursday’s practice. “We’ll make sure that there [are] no steps backward.”

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