Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger to be a full participant in practice this week, still day-to-day

On the heels of the Pittsburgh Steelers 25-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Heinz Field, the team got some good news from their franchise quarterback following the win. Ben Roethlisberger told Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette he plans on being a full participant in practice this week, but cautions fans he is still going to take his return from a sprained MCL and bone bruise day-to-day.

"We're going to tape it and brace it and I'm going to see what I can do," Roethlisberger said. "My plan is to go out Wednesday and practice. We'll see what happens. I know I've got to be smart about it. I've got to be able to defend myself. We're just going to take it day by day."

This is a positive step in the right direction for the Steelers and the return of Roethlisberger. Last week Roethlisberger returned to practice in a limited capacity, working mainly with just 7-on-7 drills to not take away any starting repetitions from Michael Vick.

With Landry Jones saving the day for the team against Arizona Sunday, the team will have some issues at the quarterback position with Vick leaving the Cardinals game in the third quarter with a hamstring injury.

If Roethlisberger is unable to play to his full potential this week, Jones will likely get the first start of his NFL career, but the backup quarterback position will very much be in doubt if Roethlisberger is listed as inactive. Vick could be used as an emergency quarterback, and the Steelers have dressed Roethlisberger in the past to serve as an emergency quarterback.

Either way you slice it, all eyes will be on No. 7 this week in practice as he goes through his first full work week leading into the Week 7 game at Arrowhead Stadium against the 1-5 Kansas City Chiefs.