News & Info/Headlines

Following up on a previous item. ... As ESPN's Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen noted this morning, the Steelers are 2-4 in the first game after Ben Roethlisberger returns from injury and he has averaged a pedestrian 191 yards passing with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in those games.

In other words: He's still hurting, and the results reflect it.

Thus, there is no ambitious plan to push Roethlisberger back into the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals even though Ben had people buzzing because he participated some in 7-on-7 passing drills this week.

As of Monday night, Roethlisberger privately conceded that the bone bruise still causes considerable pain, not to mention it was only Sept. 24 when he suffered a left knee MCL sprain.

Michael Vick's fourth-quarter performance at quarterback in a 24-20 win over the Chargers on Monday provided some relief. The Steelers are 3-2 and the win buys them a little more time with hopes Vick gets even better with another start.

When to play Roethlisberger?

Is it Oct. 25 at the Chiefs against a team that still has fierce pass-rushers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali? Or do you wait for that first game back to come Nov. 1 at Heinz Field against the currently unbeaten and AFC North-leading Bengals?

I'll be watching for more.