PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Four injured Steelers returned to practice Wednesday, the most notable being quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger suffered a high-ankle sprain Dec. 8 against Cleveland and played through the injury Dec. 19 in a 20-3 loss at San Francisco on Monday Night Football. Roethlisberger sat out of Saturday’s 27-0 win against St. Louis and backup quarterback Charlie Batch got the start.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference Tuesday that he expects Roethlisberger and any other injured players to play at Cleveland Sunday if they are able to practice during the week.

“I’d like to play just because I like being out there but I don’t know if I necessarily need it,” Roethlisberger told the Tribune Review’s Scott Brown before practice Wednesday. “It would be nice to get another week of rest but I would prefer to play.”

Roethlisberger went through a full practice. The Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette quotes both wide receiver Hines Ward and tackle Max Starks as noting Roethlisberger looked good in the workout.

Roethlisberger, along with center Maurkice Pouncey, linebacker Chris Carter and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders returned as full participants in practice, meaning all four are on track to play against the Browns.

Other injury news:

• Linebacker James Harrison (neck), guard Doug Legursky (shoulder), running back Mewelde Moore (knee) and safety Troy Polamalu (knee) sat out of Wednesday’s practice.
• Wide receiver Mike Wallace (ankle) and linebacker Lamarr Woodley (hamstring) were limited in practice Wednesday.

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