Maybe the Steelers will rest their players in Week 16, after all.
Chuck Finder of CBS Sports reported Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger did not participate in th team's practice Thursday, intensifying the speculation that he will not play in Pittsburgh's Week 16 game Saturday against St. Louis. There is a walk-through closed to the media scheduled Friday.
Finder reported earlier the decision to play Roethlisberger and C Maurkice Pouncey will be made at game-time.
Pouncey did not practice Thursday either, leading Beaver County Times reporter Mike Bires to speculate neither will play Saturday. Tribune-Review reporter Scott Brown said the same thing.
OLB LaMarr Woodley and WR Emmanuel Sanders did not practice Thursday. Gerry Dulac reported Woodley would likely not play Saturday.
Bires also said Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians suggested the expected promotion of RB John Clay may not even happen, thus leaving the Steelers with just two active running backs - Rashard Mendenhall and Isaac Redman.
As of Friday morning, the team has not announced any roster moves.
The Rams have the game's worst run defense, and it seems as if Mendenhall and Redman will be used extensively Saturday. Mendenhall bruised his ribs against San Francisco, but is expected to play.
Arians has said Charlie Batch would start in Roethlisberger's place. Pouncey did not play last week, and was replaced by Doug Legursky. Trai Essex replaced Legursky at left guard.