Key Injuries Limit Steelers and Jaguars

Ben Roethlisberger isn’t the Pittsburgh Steelers’ only injury worry for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville. Wide receiver Hines Ward missed practice for a second straight day Thursday because of a nagging hamstring injury.

The Jaguars have some concerns too, with running back Fred Taylor being downgraded to questionable after missing part of practice because of a sprained right ankle suffered in last weekend’s victory over Cincinnati. Taylor had 132 yards in 24 carries in that game.

If Roethlisberger (hyperextended knee) and Ward can’t practice today -- and neither player has been on the field since Monday night’s 24-22 victory at San Diego -- it seems unlikely they will play.

“It’s case by case,” Coach Bill Cowher said. “Obviously, if you have somebody who hasn’t practiced all week, you have to take that into account. We are just going to look at all the circumstances and go from there.”

Cowher did get good injury news: Roethlisberger’s backup, Tommy Maddox (calf), was upgraded from questionable to probable, meaning he could start ahead of third-string Charlie Batch, if Roethlisberger can’t go.

Maddox, injured last Friday, was initially expected to be sidelined three to four weeks.

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Carolina Panther running back Stephen Davis (knee) and fullback Brad Hoover (shoulder) returned to practice, but backup rusher DeShaun Foster missed his second day because of a sprained knee. All three were listed as questionable by Coach John Fox for Sunday’s game at Detroit.

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Indianapolis Colt defensive end Dwight Freeney left practice early after having difficulty loosening up, but Coach Tony Dungy doesn’t expect Freeney to miss Monday night’s game against St. Louis.

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The New Orleans Saints, forced out of the Superdome by Hurricane Katrina, will play in front of their first “home” sellout of the season Sunday against Atlanta at the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio.