Hampton Practices, Ward Sits Out
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — Steelers nose tackle Casey Hampton practiced for the second straight day and is not listed on the team's injury report, meaning he's likely to be available to head coach Mike Tomlin when Pittsburgh plays New England at 4:15 p.m. Sunday at Heinz Field.
The rest of the Steelers injury outlook has changed very little.
Wide receiver Hines Ward sat out of Thursday's practice. He suffered a sprained ankle Sunday at Arizona and has yet to practice this week.
If Ward is unable to play Sunday, Emmanuel Sanders and Jerricho Cotchery will take his place depending on the offensive packages. Sanders said after practice that he expects Ward to play against the Patriots, though.
Nose tackle Chris Hoke (stinger), linebacker James Harrison (eye) and guard Doug Legursky (toe) were all inactive for Thursday's practice. Linebacker James Farrior (calf) was limited in practice for the second straight day and linebacker Jason Worilds (quad) was upgraded to limited participation after sitting out of Wednesday's practice.
Farrior said after practice that he is "fine."
Also of note is that the Steelers expect to have the same starting line from last week, which would be the first time this season the same line started in back-to-back games.
Limited at Patriots practice were linebacker Jerod Mayo (knee), running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (toe), cornerback Leigh Bodden (thumb), defensive end Albert Haynesworth (back), safety Josh Barrett (thumb) and tackle Sebastian Vollmer (back). Cornerback Ras-I Dowling (hip) and linebacker Dane Fletcher (hip) did not practice.
