PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger can hold his newborn son Ben Jr. . in his injured right arm just fine, thanks. When the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback will be able to say the same about a football, even hes not sure. Roethlisberger practiced in a limited role Thursday and appears a long shot to return for Sundays game in Baltimore. "Theres always a chance," Roethlisberger offered somewhat hopefully. The lengthy list of issues still plaguing Roethlisberger more than two weeks after he sprained his right shoulder and suffered a dislocated rib in a 16-13 overtime win against Kansas City, however, suggests hes still a week away from giving it a go. Though the pain isnt quite as intense as it was in the days after Kansas City linebacker Tamba Hali drilled Roethlisberger into the soggy Heinz Field turf, the two-time Super Bowl winner can still only sleep in certain positions at night. And while hes tested the shoulder this week, hes uncertain if he can make all the throws necessary to attack Baltimores secondary. "Can I put a lot of zip on the ball, throw it really hard before people like Ed Reed and defenders can get to the ball?" Roethlisberger said. "If I cant Im not putting us in the best situation to win the game." The Steelers (6-5) have struggled in Roethlisbergers absence, needing overtime to beat the woeful Chiefs before looking listless at times and sloppy at others in losses to Baltimore and Cleveland. A season that looked promising after a 24-20 win over the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants in New Jersey on Nov. 4 is suddenly on very shaky ground. Still, dont expect Roethlisberger to push too quickly. Its something hes done in the past, with less than desired results. He played on a battered right ankle in San Francisco last year, limping around in a 20-3 loss. He ended up sitting out the next week and wasnt the same when he returned. "Weve had people talk about last year in San Francisco, if I would have rested maybe I would have been better off the next couple games but to me, I live for the here and now," he said. "Im going to do everything I can to be out there and if it doesnt work then Ill do what I can about the next week." Offensive co-ordinator Todd Haley said Roethlisberger threw "a little bit" on Thursday but the team continues to prepare as if Charlie Batch will make his second straight start. Batch completed 20 of 34 passes for 199 yards and three costly interceptions against the Browns, mistakes Haley attributed to rusty timing more than physical ability. "I dont think theres any limitations to what Chuck can do," Haley said, "or needs to do with the guys we have." Roethlisberger remains optimistic Batch can muster some of the magic that helped him lead the Steelers to three victories since 2010 while filling in for his good friend. "I firmly believe that," Roethlisberger said. "They know what hes capable of. Hes been doing it a long time. They respect him. I think hes ready to rise to the occasion." Something the Steelers need to do if they want to build any momentum going into the final quarter of the season. A loss in a place they struggle to play well in -- no matter who is behind the centre -- would leave them with no wiggle room whenever Roethlisberger gets back to work. The games importance is not lost on Roethlisberger, who will wear "juiced up" pads to protect his shoulder, though doctors have told him the dislocated rib no longer poses a threat to his aorta. Thats welcome news for a guy in the first days of fatherhood. Roethlisberger called being a dad "pretty cool" and while hes enjoyed the time at home, hes also eager to go back to his job. If he doesnt play on Sunday hell do what hes done the last two weeks and stand on the sideline -- earbuds in place -- and provide the kind of insight Batch has imparted on him so many times though the years. "Its hard for me," Roethlisberger said. "You watched me during these games. Ive been on the field more than most of the coaches because Im just antsy to get out there." That anxiousness, however, figures to be around for at least another week. ------ NOTES: While Roethlisberger is doubtful, S Troy Polamalu appears ready to play for the first time since Oct. 7. Polamalu practiced for the second straight day and barring a setback should be on the field in Baltimore. Polamalu has been limited to just five quarters all season due to a strained right calf ... Rookie G David DeCastro continued to make progress in his first week on the active roster after recovering from right knee surgery in August. Haley said he expects DeCastro to make an impact on the field before the end of the season. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-joe-namath-jersey-ux-13.ht... Namath Rams Jersey . On Friday, former defensive tackle Bruce Smith died. He was 63. Smith had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and recently was admitted into a Toronto hospital. Smith played his college football at Colorado before beginning his CFL career with Hamilton in 1972. . Raonic, seeded 14th thanks to his career-high ranking, kept his hopes alive for a late spot in the eight-man field at the World Tour Finals in London which starts Monday. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-darian-stewart-jersey-ep-6... . Hagelin apologized earlier Sunday, after a telephone hearing with NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, and hoped to avoid punishment beyond the major penalty he served Saturday night. But instead, he will miss the next three games of the best-of-seven series. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/]St. Louis Rams Jersey . Hutchinson hurt his knee last week in a 24-10 loss to Houston and will have surgery Thursday. He becomes the fourth of Tennessees five starting offensive linemen at the start of training camp placed on injured reserve with only left tackle Michael Roos still active. . Vermilyea, 30, spent his first season after retiring from professional baseball last season as the manager of the Maui Na Koa Ikaika (Maui Strong Warriors).PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Winterhawks scored four times in a 10-minute span in the second period Wednesday to turn an early deficit into a 5-2 victory over the Everett Silvertips in the Western Hockey League. Ty Rattie scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season in the third period for Portland (10-3-1). Chase De Leo, Brendan Leipsic, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Seth Jones each had goals in the second period as Portland led 4-2 through 40 mminutes. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-nolan-cromwell-jersey-ly-5... Cromwell Jersey. Kohl Bauml and Ty Mappin replied for Everett (6-9-2). Mappins second-period goal was his first in the WHL. Brendan Burke earned the win in net for Portland, making 22 saves, while Austin Lotz stopped 40 shots in defeat. Portland has outshot its opponent in each of its 14 games this season. Neither team scored on the power play, with Portland going 0-for-4 and Everett failing to convert on its only chance. ' ' '