TOMLIN SAYS BIG BEN, WARD ARE GOING TO PLAY

Despite the mystery surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s reportedly tender ribs, coach Mike Tomlin was adamant that any injury isn’t going to hamper Roethlisberger during Sunday’s Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals. “Ben’s fine,” Tomlin said Friday. “He’s going to play. We reported this week that Roethlisberger underwent X-rays on his ribs. ESPN has since confirmed that report, but Roethlisberger still isn’t listed on the official injury report. Roethlisberger nearly had to leave the AFC title game against the Baltimore Ravens when he took a hit in his back, prompting backup Byron Leftwich to begin warming up, but he stayed in the game. According to Sports Illustrated/NBC’s Peter King, Roethlisberger has been stretching out his torso during practice sessions this week at the University of South Florida. As for injured wide receiver Hines Ward, who practiced for the first time Thursday since spraining his medial collateral ligament in his right knee in the first quarter against Baltimore, Tomlin assured reporters that Ward will play. “Hines is great,” Tomlin said. “We’ll continue to push forward towards Sunday, but our mentality regarding Hines has not changed. He’s intent on playing in the football game.”